BTS’ RM becomes honorary ambassador for Korean War remains recovery project

K-pop idol group BTS’ RM has been appointed as honorary ambassador for the South Korean government agency tasked to recover the remains of Korean War soldiers and return them to their families. 

On June 1, RM was officially appointed as the honorary ambassador for the Ministry of Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI). 

BTS’ RM at the appointment ceremony as honorary ambassador for the Ministry of Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification on June 1 (Photos from the Ministry of National Defense, Korea Defense Photo Lab)

“The Project is a sacred initiative of the South Korean Government to fulfill our responsibility to recover the remains of 123,000 war heroes who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the peace and freedom of South Korea during the Korean War but whose bodies were not retrieved and left buried in unknown battlefields,” according to the MAKRI website.

The Korean War started on June 25, 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea and it lasted for more than three years until the armistice was established on July 27, 1953. 

The war resulted in 176,000 South Korea and UN forces killed, 555,000 wounded and about 42,000 missing and captured. 

The Philippines sent troops to help South Korea in the Korean War.

As of December 2022, 13,121 remains have been recovered consisting of 11,313 South Korean forces, 32 UN forces, 773 North Korean Army forces and 1,003 Chinese Army forces. 

Recovered remains and excavation site in South Korea (Photos from the Ministry of National Defense)

The Ministry of National Defense said RM was chosen as BTS have been vocal about social issues including racism, violence and prejudice, and are influential. 

Lee Geun-won, head of the national team, said, “I am very grateful for RM’s willingness to accept the appointment as an honorary ambassador for the country despite being busy.” 

In his acceptance speech, RM said, “I am sincerely happy to be active as a public relations ambassador for the remains excavation team. I hope there will be many people who have worked hard in their respective positions until the country, which was devastated by the Korean War etc. prospered beautifully like this.” 

“In 2023, BTS and I sincerely believe that his lecture can be held. I thought that the remains excavation and forensic activity, which spreads the message of harmony and healing to everyone beyond disputes, is what BTS wants to pursue in the future, so I participated in this way,” he added. 

RM said, “I fully sympathize with the purpose of the institution that the state takes responsibility for those who sacrificed to the end, and as it is a very important project for the country. I will sincerely striver to widely publicize the meaningful activities carried out by the remains excavation team at home and abroad with a great sense of mission.” 

He will actively participate in policy publicity for the remains excavation project.