North Korea has transferred the remains of an unspecified number of soldiers killed in the Korean War to the United States, the White House has announced.
The repatriation of remains of US soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War was one of the agreements reached during an unprecedented summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12.
American soldier during urban combat during the Korean War. Source: The LIFE Picture Collection
"A U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft containing remains of fallen service members has departed Wonsan, North Korea," the White House said in a statement.
"Today's actions represent a significant first step to recommence the repatriation of remains from North Korea and to resume field operations in North Korea to search for the estimated 5,300 Americans who have not yet returned home."
It comes on the 65th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended the Korean War.
Thousands of US military personnel remain classed as Missing in Action - most of them lost while fighting in what is now North Korea.
It's unclear how many sets of remains have been returned and the US is expected to undertake DNA and forensic testing after the remains return to US soil.
More to come
