Republic of Korea - Letter to the United Kingdom

[Jay]

Status of Remains of US Forces Korea​

Private and encrypted Delivered by Republic of Korea Embassy London​

Dear Minister Jamie ,

I hope this email finds you well. The Republic of Korea for the past ten months has conducted a systematic search for the remains of over 32,000 Korean, British, and other UN forces service members. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has completed a major canvas of the country using new and updated maps, information from the Archives and support of the veterans located in the North. H.E. President Kim Dae-jung has made the excavation for the proper return of all war heroes of our long and painful war to be returned as soon as possible a top priority for his administration. Today’s Republic has been made possible thanks to the dedication of the guardian spirits of the country and decorated war veterans including the U.N. Korean War. H.E. President Kim pays a heartfelt tribute to all of those who have worked hard to help establish and maintain peace.

The Republic of Korea would like to inform the United Kingdom that the remains of 124 British service members have been recovered with identification made on all 124. As your records may recall, there are currently 180 British service members unaccounted for since the war. We will continue to work on securing and repatriating the remains of the 56 British servicemen unrecovered. With regards to the 124 British remains currently held in the Republic of Korea, we formally invite a delegation of Her Majesties Ministry of Defense to confirm the remains of British servicemen and begin the process of informing their families long awaiting their return. It is our hope that they may find closure with the return of their loved ones. Once their identifications are confirmed, it would be our privileged to invite and host the families of the British servicemen so that they may see the strong and beaconing Republic that was preserved and built on their sacrifices.

Today the Republic of Korea stands because of the collective sacrifices of the global community against forces of conquest. It is on these solid foundations that Korea's policies of social justice reflects our traumatic experiences of the 20th century. Experiences which distantly and distantly become forgotten as the globe moves into a stage of uncertainty 21st century riddled with the same problems that infected the 20th century. While we can not change these problems, it is our hope that the uncertainty in the hearts of the British men and women who have yet to find closure over their loved ones may be mended.

Signed with sincerity,
Cabinet of the Republic of Korea

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Republic of Korea
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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