This is the first in a two-part series on MAKRI’s work recovering remains, particularly from the Korean War. For part two click here.

At the end of August the South Korean Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification (MAKRI) announced that it will launch a new set of mass recovery missions at a site near Yanggu, in South Korea’s Gangwon Province.

Lee Young-suk, a 16-year veteran of the organization, expects it to approach this new mission to retrieve remains from the Korean War in accordance with its principles.

“Our slogan is ‘First in, last out,’” said Lee,