The remains of 68 South Korean soldiers and five U.S. soldiers who were killed in the Korean War will return to their respective homelands. 

President Moon Jae-in hosted a repatriation ceremony at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii on Wednesday, marking the first time a South Korean president has personally hosted such an event abroad. 

The ceremony took place in Hawaii as the island state houses the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The Pentagon agency is tasked with searching for American soldiers that went missing or were killed in action in designated conflicts. 

The presidential office in Seoul said the ceremony embodies the determination to take responsibility for those who sacrificed their lives for their country, which includes according  them their due and utmost respect.

The remains of two soldiers that have been identified will travel onboard the presidential jet with Moon, while the remaining 66 will be transported back by the military. Moon is set to return late Thursday.