U.S., South Korea Launch Joint Search for Korean War Aircraft Wreckage

The four-week survey aims to locate the remains of three U.S. military planes that crashed off South Korea's northeastern coast during the conflict.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:18am

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The United States and South Korea have launched a joint investigation to locate the wreckage of at least three U.S. aircraft that crashed off South Korea's northeastern coast during the Korean War. The four-week survey in the Gangneung and Yangyang areas of Gangwon Province will collect materials and information from local residents to prepare for underwater investigations scheduled for August.

Why it matters

This joint effort between the U.S. and South Korea represents an important step in accounting for American service members who went missing during the Korean War. Recovering and identifying the remains of fallen troops provides closure for families and honors the sacrifices of those who fought in the conflict.

The details

The survey is being conducted by the Pentagon's POW/MIA Accounting Agency and South Korea's Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification. They will focus on three known crash sites, including a transport plane that went down in 1952 after departing Gangneung Air Base, a U.S. aircraft that crashed in 1952 near Yangyang County, and another transport plane that crashed in 1952 near Gangneung after suffering a mechanical problem.

  • The joint survey began on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • The survey will last for four weeks.
  • Underwater investigations are scheduled for August 2026.

The players

POW/MIA Accounting Agency

The U.S. Department of Defense agency responsible for recovering and identifying the remains of American service members who went missing during past conflicts.

Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI)

The South Korean government agency tasked with recovering and identifying the remains of South Korean troops killed in action.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jordyn King

The deputy team leader of the Pentagon's DPAA investigation team in South Korea.

Lt. Col. Kim Seong-hwan

The acting head of MAKRI.

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What they’re saying

“Since 2024, I have been coming to Korea for three years to work with MAKRI to find traces of the heroes who fought in the war.”

— U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jordyn King, Deputy team leader of the Pentagon's DPAA investigation team in South Korea

“Just as we recover the remains of South Korean troops killed in action, we will spare no support in helping to find the war dead and missing of the U.S. military who helped us.”

— Lt. Col. Kim Seong-hwan, Acting head of MAKRI

What’s next

The joint survey will be followed by underwater investigations scheduled for August 2026 to further search for and recover the aircraft wreckage.

The takeaway

This collaborative effort between the U.S. and South Korea to locate and identify the remains of American service members missing from the Korean War is an important step in honoring the sacrifices of those who fought in the conflict and providing closure for their families.