ROK to return remains of Chinese killed in Korean War

A ceremony is held to hand over the remains of 36 Chinese soldiers killed in the Korean War to China at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, March 31, 2016. This is the third time that South Korea has returned the remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the Korean War, more than 60 years after an armistice ended the fighting. (Photo: China News Service/Wu Xu)

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has agreed to return more remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a press briefing that the ROK will transfer the remains of some 20 soldiers on March 22.

Since 2014, the ROK has handed over the remains of 541 Chinese volunteer soldiers killed in the war.

The latest agreement was reached in a meeting between China and the ROK in Seoul on Wednesday. Every year they consult on the handover of remains of Chinese soldiers found in the ROK, with the transfer usually taking place before Tomb-sweeping Day in early April.

"This year will witness the fourth handover," Geng said. "China will continue consultation with the ROK on the issue."

The Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) fought alongside the Democratic People's Republic of Korea army in the Korean War against the South Korean army and U.S.-led UN forces between 1950 and 1953.

Almost 200,000 CPV soldiers have been confirmed to have been killed in the war, with most buried on the Korean Peninsula.