S Korean soldiers' remains repatriated

The remains of 12 South Korean soldiers who died in the Korean War return home to a sombre military ceremony.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak salutes as relatives of the dead bow their heads.

Nearly 60 years on, this is the first time the remains of those killed in North Korea have been repatriated.

The two Koreas are still technically at war since the conflict ended in 1953 in a truce without a peace treaty.

In the capital Seoul, the commander of U.S. Forces in Korea paid tribute to those he called ''fine warriors.''

(SOUNDBITE) (English) GENERAL JAMES THURMAN, COMMANDER OF U.S. FORCES KOREA, SAYING:

"I only hope that we will reunite those missing, that are still uncountable for, that were left on a bloody battle field in North Korea."

According to Seoul's Yonhap news agency, a U.S. excavation team has recovered the remains of 226 South Korean soldiers in North Korea.

Lily Grimes, Reuters