Re: North Korea Agrees to Repatriate Across DMZ

Date: February 13, 2004

NOTE FROM AII POW-MIA: According to the Korean Armistice Agreement, North Korea is required to repatriate remains through Panmunjom on the DMZ. However, Pyongyang had previously only allowed repats from 1992 through early 2001 to be flown from Pyongyang to the UNC at Yokota Air Base in Japan. The remains were flown on US military aircraft, thereby making it a direct North Korea to US repatriation.

This came as a result of the 1993 (August) Agreement on "Remains-Related Matters" between the UNC and the KPA.

Aside from Operation Glory, only in 1990 and 1991 were remains turned over directly to US reps... Sonny Montgomery (5 - 1990) and Bob Smith (11 - 1991).

In November 2001, the North Koreans allowed the Canadians to watch a repatriation ceremony at Panmunjom (Truce Village) on the DMZ. But, by early 2002 the US was again forced to airlift remains to Japan. Now, it appears the North Koreans will agree to the original plan of repatriating through Panmunjom as dictated in the Korean Armistice Agreement.

The method behind the madness of North Korea's recalcitrance to repatriate over the DMZ can be traced to Pyongyang's desire to deal directly with the US and broker a seperate peace, so to speak. The UN Armistice precluded a one-on-one agreement between the US and North Korea. Over the years POW-MIA recovery talks have broken down and stalled, frequently due to Pyongyang's desire to be recognized directly by Washington. From the end of 2002 until late summer 2003, no meaningful recovery operations or discussions took place. By end of August, operations were again underway with a total of 180 sets of Korean War remains recovered and 14 identifications and the US flying from Pyongyang to Yokota. By acceding to the US wish to repatriate over the DMZ and appoint a POW-MIA offical to look into reports of Americans living in North Korea, they may believe they stand a chance to not only better their relationship with Washington, but benefit from financial, technological and educational levels as well.

The ability for the US to return to Panmunjom/DMZ for repatriations and access for future operations will (hopefully) speed up repatriations, reduce costs, concentrate recovery personnel and streamline the process which has been mired in politics, personalities and propagnda for too many years. END OF COMMENTARY

NEWS ARTICLE

"North Korea agrees to repatriate US war dead across DMZ

North Korea has agreed to resume repatriating remains of US war dead across the de-militarized zone separating the two Koreas for the first time in more than five years, the Pentagon said.

The North Koreans also agreed for the first time to propose that an official be designated to resolve reports of Americans living in North Korea.

Jerry Jennings, deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/missing personnel affairs, said he was encouraged by the talks with the North Korean delegation Wednesday in Bangkok.

"We accomplished much at no additional cost to the US government, and these new procedures will streamline the process of getting our teams in and out of North Korea, and bring our fallen heroes back home to their families," Jennings said.

Besides agreeing to repatriating remains across the DMZ at Panmunjom, the North Koreans said members of US recovery teams will be allowed to accompany remains into South Korea.

Supplies and equipment for recovery operations in 2004 also will be moved by ground transportation across the DMZ.

US teams will conduct five operations to recover remains in Unsan County, 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of Pyongyang, and near the Chosin Reservoir in northeastern North Korea.

More than 180 sets of remains believed to be of American soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War have been recovered since 1996. More than 8,100 are still missing in action from the war.
© 2004AFP "