US prepares for return of war dead remains from North Korea

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say that the American military command in South Korea is preparing for the North Koreans to turn over the remains of an unknown number of U.S. or allied service members who have been missing since the Korean War.

Officials say the timing of a ceremony is uncertain, but could be soon. The officials aren’t authorized to discuss the preparations before an official announcement and requested anonymity.

President Donald Trump raised the likelihood of the repatriation of remains last week, in the wake of his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

It’s been more than a decade since North Korea turned over the remains of American troops missing from the Korean War. The North is believed to have the remains of more than 200 American service members.