North Korea Returns Remains to U.S.
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PANMUNJOM, Korea — North Korea on Tuesday returned what it said were the remains of 33 U.S. soldiers killed in the Korean War.
The transfer is the largest since the North began returning remains in 1990, apparently seeking to end its diplomatic isolation.
The transfer took place during a 30-minute ceremony at this village straddling the border. North Korean soldiers brought the remains to the border in 33 coffins they handed over to U.N. honor guards.
In addition to bones, the coffins contained a bag of personal belongings such as buttons, dog tags, spoons and gloves. Communist officials said the remains were unearthed in several different locations.
The repatriation took place as tension mounted on the Korean peninsula over suspicion the North may be developing nuclear weapons. Pyongyang insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
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