Seventy-five years after the Korean War started, the Australian Defence Force has supported a successful remains recovery mission on a steep ridge in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas.
The four ADF members deployed to South Korea on Operation Linesmen were observers for the United Nations Military Command Armistice Commission, which manages access to the southern side of the DMZ and maintains and defends the armistice agreement that suspended Korean War hostilities.
Within sight of North Korea, a team from the South Korean Army's 5th Infantry Division and the Ministry of National Defense Agency for Killed in Action Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) recently unearthed the remains of 25 soldiers and hundreds of artefacts, including a helmet and ammunition.
Operation Linesmen contingent commander Captain Johan Cillie said it was a unique experience to visit the scene of a 1952 battle between South Korean and Chinese forces.
"To be at the site of a 14-day battle, in which more than 3000 munitions were dropped, and seeing the terrain that those soldiers were fighting in was unbelievable," Captain Cillie said.
"It was humbling to be such a close part of the recovery."
Captain Cillie said his explosives ordnance disposal background informed negotiations to resume remains recovery at the site after a three-year pause.
This included providing advice on safety considerations, medical evacuation requirements and explosive remnants of war clearance.
"More than 25 unexploded ordnance items were safely removed," he said.
Royal Australian Air Force Flight Sergeant Lachlan Pegg said it was rewarding to work alongside members of the South Korean Army and MAKRI.
"Their professionalism, respect for history and dedication to the fallen set the tone for the entire mission," Flight Sergeant Pegg said.
He said it reinforced the shared commitment to bring the fallen home.
The remains recovery team plans to return to White Horse Hill next year after the ground thaws.
