The remains of an American soldier who fought in the Korean War have been returned to the U.S. after 60 years.

The Defense Ministry said Friday that it recently delivered the remains of Army Corporal Frank Smith, who had gone missing during the Korean War, to U.S. military officials.

The ministry’s excavation team found Smith’s remains and identification tag last year in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. The team and the U.S. Joint Prisoners of War, Missing in Action Accounting Command jointly confirmed the remains as those of Corporal Smith.

The ministry said Smith's remains have been buried next to his mother's grave in North Syracuse Cemetery in New York State in line with a request from his family.