Government Pushes to Register Korean War Fallen Soldiers Without Next of Kin as National Merit Recipients

Fallen soldiers from the Korean War who sacrificed for the country over 70 years ago but were not recognized as national merit recipients, even after being interred in national cemeteries, will now be registered as such. This is a move by the state to remember and honor the sacrifices and dedication of these war heroes.

Like the case of Major Kim Seon-il, who was omitted from the national merit recipient registration process because he died without family, the government is pushing to register these fallen soldiers without known next of kin by conducting a comprehensive survey. Major Kim, who defected from North Korea after liberation, was omitted from the registration process as he had no lineal descendants to apply on his behalf.

Approximately 138,000 South Korean soldiers died during the Korean War, and about 89,000 of them have been registered as merit recipients (fallen soldiers). An estimated 40,000 remain unregistered.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs launched an investigation based on Major Kim's petition and are set to finalize his merit recipient registration this month. Furthermore, they plan to conduct a full survey of all fallen soldiers without known next of kin interred in national cemeteries and push for their registration as national merit recipients.