The Hero’s Return: How DNA Technology Helped Identify and Repatriate the Remains of Korean War Soldier Choi Baek-in

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The remains of Private First Class Choi Baek-in, a 19-year-old Korean War hero who gave his life defending South Korea, were returned to his family on February 10.

The Ministry of National Defense’s Remains Recovery and Identification Unit (RRIU) has identified remains excavated in April 2007 near Unju Mountain in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province as those of PFC Choi, who served with the 7th Regiment, 6th Infantry Division.

PFC Choi is the first fallen hero identified by the RRIU this year, bringing the total number of repatriated South Korean soldiers to 269 since the recovery efforts began in April 2000.

Nearly two decades ago, the RRIU and troops from the 50th Division recovered remains and personal effects from a suspected Korean War-era foxhole. However, identification was impossible at the time due to limited DNA technology and lack of family reference samples.

A breakthrough came in October 2021 when PFC Choi’s sister, his only surviving sibling, provided a DNA sample. Advances in genetic analysis finally allowed for positive identification.

Born in October 1930 in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, PFC Choi enlisted in August 1950 shortly after the Korean War began. He was killed in action that September while serving with the 7th Regiment, 6th Infantry Division during the Battle of Yeongcheon.

At the family’s request, a repatriation ceremony was held at the sister’s home in Jeonju.

“Just days before the RRIU contacted me, I dreamed of my brother and felt compelled to offer a meal for him,” Choi’s sister said. “It seemed like fate when I received the call that they had identified him. I’m grateful to be able to lay him to rest in the national cemetery before I pass on myself.”

The Ministry of Defense emphasized that locating families of the fallen has become increasingly challenging as veterans and their relatives age, urging greater public engagement in the identification efforts.

Family members up to eighth-degree relatives of Korean War MIAs can provide DNA samples to aid identification. A reward of 10 million KRW (approximately $7,500) is offered for successful identifications. Further information is available on the Government 24 website.

For those with mobility issues, the RRIU offers home visits for DNA collection. Interested parties can contact the unit at 1577-5625.