Remains Recovery Operation for Silmido Unit Operatives Resumes

The recovery operation for the remains of Silmido Unit operatives, whose whereabouts have been unknown for over half a century, has resumed. The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 18th that it held a groundbreaking ceremony (Gaetoje) at the Byeokje Municipal Cemetery in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, to pray for the recovery of the remains of four operatives who were executed and secretly buried following the Silmido incident. The ceremony was held at the Byeokje Municipal Cemetery, believed to be the burial site, with family members and defense officials in attendance.

The Silmido incident holds the tragic history of a covert operations unit, separate from the unit established for North Korean infiltration missions. At the time, the government did not leave clear records regarding the disposal of the operatives' bodies, leaving their families to suffer without knowing the exact whereabouts of the victims.

The Ministry of National Defense pledges its utmost effort to uncover the truth of the incident and restore the honor of the fallen operatives through this remains recovery operation. It hopes that finding and honoring the scattered remains will serve as an opportunity to rectify historical wrongs. The ministry stated that it will proceed with the excavation in close consultation with the families, and any remains discovered will be handled in accordance with the Act on the Honorable Treatment of Persons of National Merit.