WASHINGTON - U.S. and North Korean specialists began preliminary work Monday in
North Korea to recover the remains of Americans missing in action from the Korean War.
For the first time since these operations started in 1996, supplies and
equipment were transported across the demilitarized zone to U.S. recovery teams,
the U.S. Department of Defense said.
Also for the first time since 1999, U.S. remains, accompanied by recovery team
members, will be returned across the demilitarized zone.
U.S. and North Korean negotiators last year agreed to five operations for 2004
in Unsan County and near the Chosin Reservoir, both sites of major battles and
heavy losses of U.S. servicemen.
Twenty-eight U.S. team members will join with their North Korean counterparts
for each of these 30-day operations.
The project marks the ninth consecutive year that U.S. teams have operated
inside North Korea, bringing home some remains of the more than 8,100 soldiers
missing in action from the war.
More than 88,000 Americans are still listed as missing in action from World War
II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm.
Sound Off...What do you think?
Join the discussion.
Copyright 2004 United Press International. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
