PHOTOS Remains of national hero return home after 78 years
Soldiers carry the remains of General Hong Beom-do, a historic Korean independence fighter, at Kyzylorda Airport in Kazakhstan, Aug. 15. Seventy-eight years after his death, General Hong's remains were finally repatriated Sunday, marking Korea's 76th National Liberation Day. General Hong is notable for leading the victory in the Battle of Bong-o-dong (Fengwudong) in China against the Japanese army in 1920. Yonhap
Soldiers carry the remains of General Hong during a ceremony at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 15. Yonhap
President Moon Jae-in burns incense to honor General Hong during a ceremony at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 15. Yonhap
The remains of General Hong are placed temporarily in Daejeon National Cemetery. The general will be laid to rest after an official mourning period. Yonhap
People pay tribute to General Hong at a memorial altar set up at Daejeon National Cemetery, Aug. 16. Yonhap
A banner commemorating the repatriation of General Hong is displayed on a government building in Sejong, Aug. 15. Courtesy of Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
A plaque honoring General Hong is displayed on General Hong Beom-do Street in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan, Aug. 14. Yonhap