Appeal For Families Of British Personnel Killed Or Missing In Korea To Provide DNA

War dead remains from the Korean War have been returned to the US

The Ministry of Defence has launched an appeal for families of UK service personnel killed or missing during the Korean War.

Relatives of those who died or went missing during the conflict are being asked to provide DNA samples to support the identification of remains.

Approximately 100,000 British service personnel, from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF, served in the 1950-53 Korean War as part of British Forces Korea.

The Ministry of Defence said it believed that there are up to 295 UK service personnel that were killed or missing in action who are unaccounted for.

The appeal comes after North Korea handed over 55 boxes containing the remains of service personnel and allowed a US military transport plane to take them to an air base near the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Dozens of presumed-US war dead are being taken home following a repatriation ceremony in South Korea.

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, agreed to the handover of remains during a summit with US President Donald Trump in June.

US State Department spokeswoman, Heather Nauert, said: "We are working diligently to bring them home. Their sacrifices and their lives have not been forgotten and we’re pleased to be able to have representation at that.

"We see that as Chairman Kim fulfilling part of the commitment that he made to the President to return the remains of our fallen service members.

The Ministry of Defence said the remains may include UK casualties and they want to gather DNA samples to make sure they are clearly identified.

The UK service personnel will be given military funerals at the United Nations cemetery in South Korea.

The MoD said it intends to cover costs for immediate family members to attend.

Family members of those missing personnel who have no known grave are asked to call the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre on 01452 854622/855258.