The remains of 55 U.S. servicemen killed during the Korean War were transported to Osan Air Base outside Seoul, South Korea, the White House announced Friday.
The cases, each draped with the flag of the United Nations, arrived aboard a U.S. military plane and will soon be presented to their families at long last. It is anticipated that they will arrive in Hawaii on Wednesday.
President Trump celebrated the move on social media, calling it “a great moment for so many families” and thanking North Korean Chairman, Kim Jong-un.
The transfer took place on the 65th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War.
The Remains of American Servicemen will soon be leaving North Korea and heading to the United States! After so many years, this will be a great moment for so many families. Thank you to Kim Jong Un.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2018
Still, officials estimate roughly 7,700 U.S. soldiers have been listed as missing from the 1950-53 Korean War, with 5,300 of the remains believed to be in North Korea.
The Korean War resulted in the death of millions, including roughly 36,000 Americans.
This historic transition had been negotiated last month during a summit in Singapore between Trump and the North Korean leader.
A White House statement praised Kim Jong-un for “fulfilling part of the commitment he made to the President to return our fallen American service members” and said, “we are encouraged by North Koreas actions and the momentum for positive change.”
Statement from the Press Secretary on the Repatriation of Remains from North Korea https://t.co/eE5k5NmlNH
— Public Pool (@WHPublicPool) July 27, 2018
The White House also reminded the American people that this is only part of the historic deal struck between the two nations.
The leaders took “a bold first step to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, transform relations between the United States and North Korea, and establish enduring peace,” the statement reads.
A report surfaced earlier this week indicating that North Korea had begun dismantling its main missile-engine test site, yet another sign that a thaw is taking place between the two countries.
According to the Daily Wire, “Satellite images from July 20 and July 22 show that the North have begun dismantling facilities at their Sohae Satellite Launching Station, which experts believe played a major role in their development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.”
A Rocket has not been launched by North Korea in 9 months. Likewise, no Nuclear Tests. Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy. But the Fake News is saying, without ever asking me (always anonymous sources), that I am angry because it is not going fast enough. Wrong, very happy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2018
The mainstream media has practically been cheering for the improved relations on the Korean peninsula to collapse, though it doesn’t appear we’re headed there anytime soon.
Instead, Trump has since been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, having “taken a huge and important step in the direction of the disarmament, peace, and reconciliation between North and South Korea,” according to a nomination letter written by Norwegian lawmakers.
His opponents would rather have a war between North and South Korea than give the President an ounce of credit for establishing peace.
