N. Korea, U.S. agree to extend areas of MIA remains search

North Korea and the United States have agreed to expand the search next year for the remains of American servicemen killed or listed as missing in action (MIA) during Korean War. The search will be expanded to areas around Kaechon in South Pyongan Province and the Chanjin (Chosin) Reservoir in South Hamkyong province.

Chief U.S. negotiator Alan Liotta, deputy director of the defense department's Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, told a press conference Monday at the 8th Army compound in Yongsan, Seoul that beginning next April five operations -- each lasting 32 days -- would be conducted for a total of 160 days in North Korea.

North Korea dropped all conditions it had attached to the recovery operations, including a request for the construction of an apparel factory. However, the payment to be made to North Korea in return for the expeditions -- $4.5 million -- is more than double the amount spent this year, Liotta said.

Information gathered by North Korea on the possible whereabouts of remains will be reviewed and confirmed at a meeting of American and North Korean officials scheduled for next March in Pyongyang.