WHY ARE THE AMERICAN REMAINS RETURNING FROM THE KOREAN WAR DRAPED IN UNITED NATIONS FLAG?

The Daily Caller ^ | 9:48 PM 07/27/2018 | Benny Johnson | Reporter At Large

[E. Pluribus Unum]

One of the most important results of President Trump’s negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is the return of the remains of American troops who perished during the Korean War half a century ago.

The remains of over fifty U.S. servicemen arrived in South Korea in accordance with an agreement made between Trump and Kim Jong Un last month.

The remains were transported from North Korea to Osan Air Base at Pyeongtaek, South Korea, where a formal acceptance ceremony for the remains was performed.

U.N. honor guards carried the boxes containing the still unconfirmed remains of U.S. servicemen killed during the Korean War. The date the remains landed in the South happened to be July 27 — the 65th anniversary of the armistice that ended the open hostilities of the Korean War.

[ealgeone]

I think it may be because it was a UN operation against NK.

[Wonder Warthog]

Because the Korean War was considered a “UN Police Action”, and not a war between nation-states.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

It was a UN Operation (Police Action).

[SoConPubbie]

Doesn’t matter.

They are American soldiers.

They deserve the respect of having the flag they fought and died under, U.N. Police Action or not, draping their flags.

This was a sign of disrespect.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Everyone who has served in Korea from 1950 on, my late father, your uncle, me, your neighbor, the kid down the street, was under the United Nations Command. Plus, some of those remains might turn out to be British, Turks, Australians or some other allied forces.

[gunnyg]

Welcome~aboard!
Good folks have been sounding off bout this bs for many years now!

[Wonder Warthog]

"They deserve the respect of having the flag they fought and died under, U.N. Police Action or not, draping their flags."

Which is precisely the point. Whether you like it or not, they fought under the UN flag. This is historically accurate and appropriate.

[PghBaldy]

Do we even know whose bones, what nationality, let alone what species they are yet?

[2ndDivisionVet]

The United Nations was conceived, by us, as a supra-national government that would keep peace between nation states and other actors. The Korean War was the first major test of that hypothesis and as unsatisfying as the result might seem, it worked. The Sino-Soviet bloc was not able to invade and take over an independent nation and South Korea has developed into a first world country after being terribly devastated.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Plus, some of those remains might turn out to be British, Turks, Australians or some other allied forces."

Good point!

[CaptainAmiigaf]

They did, indeed, fight and die under the flag of the United Nations.
However, I am as positive as I can be that they will be solemnly buried under the Flag of the United States of America. That is the flag they fought and died FOR.

[Hot Tabasco]

They deserve the respect of having the flag they fought and died under

As others have stated, it was a UN action and the UN is showing them the respect they deserve by providing them with the UN flag.

When they are properly interned here at home, they will be honored with OUR US flag.......lighten up Francis

[Simon Foxx]

The only reason that this UN “Police Action” even occurred (as opposed to the USA going in alone to defend South Korea) is that the Soviet Ambassador foolishly boycotted the Security Council meeting that authorized it.

They never made that mistake again - a simple Soviet “Veto” would have prevented the UN from becoming involved.

A little known fact of history....

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviets-boycott-united-nations-security-council

[SoConPubbie]

As others have stated, it was a UN action and the UN is showing them the respect they deserve by providing them with the UN flag.

No they are not.

The respect they deserve was to be draped in the Stars and Stripes.

[centurion316]

Too early to know if they are American soldiers or a soldier from one of the other countries from the UN Command. Those countries were willing and allies of the United States and their contributions were significant. Once the remains are identified, they can be honored by the flag of their country. Most will be Americans.

[KingLudd]

“Do we even know whose bones, what nationality, let alone what species they are yet?”

Excellent point.

[SoConPubbie]

The United Nations was conceived, by us, as a supra-national government that would keep peace between nation states and other actors. The Korean War was the first major test of that hypothesis and as unsatisfying as the result might seem, it worked. The Sino-Soviet bloc was not able to invade and take over an independent nation and South Korea has developed into a first world country after being terribly devastated.

The United Nations is a disreputable organization populated mostly by our enemies.

I don't care if the original conflict was fought under the authority of the U.N.

These are U.S. soldiers who fought and died.

They deserve the respect and dignity to have their coffins draped in the Stars and Stripes.

How many of those soldiers do you really believe were fighting for the U.N. and not the U.S.?

[Captain Peter Blood]

The Korean War was a UN Police action, many nations involved, it was not a war between the U.S. and Korea. As such that may be the reason the caskets are draped with the UN flag.

[SoConPubbie]

Which is precisely the point. Whether you like it or not, they fought under the UN flag. This is historically accurate and appropriate.

Most of those soldiers were fighting for the U.S., not the U.N..