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	 United States and the Republic of Korea Joint Repatriation Ceremony
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        <h1 class="title"> United States and the Republic of Korea Joint Repatriation Ceremony</h1>
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Navy Adm. John Aquilino, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers remarks during a joint repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 22, 2021. The purpose of the ceremony was to transfer the remains and commemorate the service of 68 fallen South Koreans, and believed to be six U.S. service members who fought during the Korean War. The remains were analyzed jointly by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) laboratory and scientists with the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI).</div>
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                <div class="image-title">DPAA hosts joint repatriation ceremony with ROK</div>
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                <div class="image-title">First-Ever United States and the Republic of Korea Joint Repatriation Ceremony</div>
                <div class="image-caption">South Korean and United States service members fold flags over boxes containing the remains from the Korean War during the Korean War Remains Joint Repatriation Ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 22, 2021. The purpose of the ceremony was to transfer the remains and commemorate the service of 68 fallen South Korean, and believed to be six U.S service members who fought during the Korean War. The remains were analyzed jointly by the DPAA laboratory and scientists with the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI). Working cooperatively, they concluded that the 68 individual remains are of South Korean origin, though the remains haven’t been individually identified.</div>
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                <div class="image-title">First-Ever United States and the Republic of Korea Joint Repatriation Ceremony</div>
                <div class="image-caption">U.S. and Republic of Korea service members conduct honors during a joint repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 22, 2021. The purpose of the ceremony was to transfer the remains and commemorate the service of 68 fallen South Korean soldiers who fought alongside U.S. and United Nations forces during the Korean War. The remains were analyzed jointly by the DPAA laboratory and scientists with the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI). Working cooperatively, they concluded that the 68 individual remains are of South Korean origin, though the remains haven’t been individually identified.</div>
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                <div class="image-title">DPAA hosts joint repatriation ceremony with ROK</div>
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                <div class="image-title">DPAA hosts joint repatriation ceremony with ROK</div>
                <div class="image-caption">First-Ever United States and the Republic of Korea Joint Repatriation Ceremony</div>
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    <div> <span class="date">/ Published Sept. 22, 2021</span></div>
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    <p style="text-align: center;">Remarks by Admiral Chris “Lung” Aquilino<br />
<u>Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command</u><br />
United States and the Republic of Korea Joint Repatriation Ceremony<br />
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii<br />
September 22, 2021<br />
<em>(As Prepared )</em></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thank you Admiral Banaji for the kind introduction. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.<br />
<br />
I would like to welcome President Moon, First Lady Kim, Minister Suh, Ambassador Lee, Director Heo, Second Lieutenant Kim, Mr. Ray Kapaun, Governor Ige, Chargé del Corso, General LaCamera, members of our diplomatic and consular corps, fellow Flag and General Officers, VIPs, senior civilian and military leaders, distinguished visitors – thank you for joining us today and thank you to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) for hosting today’s ceremony.<br />
<br />
President Moon and First Lady Kim, It’s my tremendous honor to join you today representing the United States in this important ceremony.<br />
<br />
Today we pay homage to the South Koreans and Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War.<br />
<br />
DPAA’s mission to account for our missing heroes continues successfully today by partnering with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for Killed in Action Recovery and Identification (MAKRI). DPAA’s and MAKRI’s bond is built on the commitment to the recovery and identification of the fallen, as our unaccounted-for service members are entitled to the certainty that they will never be forgotten.<br />
<br />
The Korean War brought our two nations side-by-side to fight for and defend the values embodied in the ideal of freedom. Twenty-two other countries contributed to the United Nations Command, offering their support, troops, or medical assistance to restore international peace and security in the region. Many of those nations to this day continue to support peace on the Peninsula through ongoing contributions to the United Nations Command.<br />
<br />
So let us pay tribute to all Korean War veterans, and their families, as they fought in battle to protect and defend our values and the region. Let us never forget their service and sacrifice, as it paved the way for our strong network of alliances and partnerships that continues to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific.<br />
<br />
Today, Republic of Korea and United States service members on the Korean Peninsula continue to carry on the mission to which these individuals dedicated their lives with their unwavering commitment to preserving peace. For more than six decades, the iron clad Alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States – based on the bonds of mutual trust, shared values, people-to-people ties, and enduring friendship – has delivered peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.<br />
<br />
May the enduring Alliance and deep friendship between the Republic of Korea and the United States continue for generations. May God bless our two Nations and all who serve and defend them. And may God bless these fallen soldiers and their families as they return home – and all those who served and gave their lives on the Korean Peninsula in the pursuit and defense of freedom.<br />
<br />
Thank you.</p>

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