South Korea returns remains of 12 Chinese volunteer troops killed in Korean War

South Korea on Wednesday repatriated the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The remains were handed over during a ceremony jointly hosted by South Korean Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee and Chinese Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs Xu Yao at Incheon International Airport, according to Yonhap News Agency.

South Korea has so far returned 1,023 sets of remains of Chinese troops since 2014.

In 2014, the two countries signed a deal to repatriate the remains of fallen soldiers.

The South Korean Defense Ministry said the ceremony marking the handover was held publicly for the first time in three years, reflecting improved bilateral ties between South Korea and China, and pledged to continue efforts to repatriate Chinese troops.

China suffered immense casualties while fighting on the side of North Korea against the South and its allies.