Defense Ministry begins excavation for Korean War remains

The defense ministry said Tuesday it has begun an eight-month excavation project for Korean War remains. In a statement, the ministry said 35 division-sized military units will take part in the project, which will wrap up at the end of November. The work will involve about 100,000 man-days, or the amount of work performed by an average worker in one day, in 65 regions across the nation. The ministry also said it has developed a computerized operating system called the Killed In Action Total Information System (KIATIS) for more efficient storing and managing of relevant information. KIATIS also has a built-in digital map that saves coordinates of specific points for excavators. The ministry added its Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification aims to recover the remains of more than 1,300 soldiers who fought in the 1950-53 conflict.  According to the ministry, remains of 6,965 people killed in action have been recovered from 2000 to 2011, and 5,999 belonged to soldiers. It said remains of 77 soldiers have been identified and returned to their families.