With Friday’s repatriation of 55 sets of MIA/POW remains, and the expected resumption of joint efforts on the ground following further negotiations soon, many are asking how we got here and how this time may be different from the past.

The newest round of negotiations over remains comes after U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s June agreement in Singapore committing to resuming the recovery process.

“The United States and the DPRK commit to recovering POW/MIA remains, including the immediate repatriation of those already identified,” the fourth point of that declaration read.

Today’s transfer represents those