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Repatriation ceremony held for Korean soldier

A repatriation ceremony with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification was held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam on Tuesday.

By Cindy Ellen Russell

July 25, 2023

Hawaii Photos

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A repatriation ceremony with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification was held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam on Tuesday. The remains of Pfc. Choi Im Rak, who died in the Battle of Chosin (Changjin) Reservoir in the winter of 1950 of the Korean War, was formally transferred in a chain of custody ceremony from the U.S. to the United Nations and finally to the Republic of Korea. Pictured are his remains draped with an American flag before the repatriation ceremony.
2/17
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Standing by is Sgt. Finnian Heald with the Joint Service Color Guard for the Indo-Pacific Command.
3/17
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Pictured is the formal documents for the repatriation ceremony.
4/17
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Sharing a light hearted moment before the ceremony were Brian Lau and Walter Furuyama from the Korean War Veterans of Hawaii Chapter 1.
5/17
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Pictured during the commencement of the ceremony is Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
6/17
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Saluting are members of the Republic of Korea Honor Guard (back), United Nations Command Honor Guard Company (center) and Joint Service Color Guard for the Indo-Pacific Command.
7/17
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Speaking is Kelly McKeague, DPAA Director.
8/17
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Pictured at the ceremony is Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
9/17
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Pictured is Senior Chief Petty Officer Choi Ho Jong who is the nephew of Pfc. Choi Im Rak.
10/17
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Shin Beom-chul, South Korea, Vice Minister of Defense, speaks on Tuesday.
11/17
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Signing the Repatriation Acknowledgement documents are (L-R) Lee Keun Won, Republic of Korea, Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI), Brigadier General Martine S. Kidd and Kelly K. McKeague, DPAA Director.
12/17
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Members of a Joint Service Color Guard for the Indo-Pacific Command fold the U.S. flag during the chain of custody ceremony for the repatriation.
13/17
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Members of the United Nations Command Honor Guard Company tuck in the flag for the United Nations over the remains of Pfc. Choi Im Rak during the chain of custody ceremony for the repatriation.
14/17
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Members of the Republic of Korea Honor Guard place the Republic of Korea’s flag over the remains of Pfc. Choi Im Rak during the chain of custody ceremony for the repatriation.
15/17
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Senior Chief Petty Officer Choi Ho Jong carries the repatriated remains of his relative Pfc. Choi Im Rak.
16/17
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Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) Choi Ho Jong carrying the repatriated remains of his relative Pfc. Choi Im Rak. Following is Lee Keun Won, Republic of Korea, Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) and Shin Beom-chul, Republic of Korea, Vice Minister of Defense.
17/17
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Pictured is Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command during the wreath segment of the ceremony. Also pictured (back) is Shin Beom-chul, South Korea, Vice Minister of Defense.
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