More than 400 Korean War-era U.S. soldiers identified

June 23 (UPI) -- The remains of 409 U.S. soldiers who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War have been identified, ahead of the 67th anniversary of the conflict that is to be observed on Sunday.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency stated the number was an increase of 56, from 353 from the same time period in 2016, Radio Free Asia reported Saturday, Korea time.

The remains were excavated in South Korea.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, improvements in laboratory analysis techniques have enabled the agency to better identify the remains.

Excavation of the remains of U.S. soldiers continues in South Korea, but most of the 7,745 missing soldiers are believed to be located in North Korea, Stars and Stripes reported.

The DPAA's scientists began identifying remains in the '90s, starting with the project known as K208, which identified the remains of 400 U.S. military personnel excavated between 1990 and 1994.

South Korea is to observe the 67th anniversary of the war on Sunday.

Ahead of the observance, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told an audience of war veterans his administration would "maintain security with a strong U.S.-South Korea alliance."

"The Republic of Korea will forever remember the [U.S. and U.N.] soldiers who bled with us, and sealed the bonds of our alliance, and in so doing develop this friendship," Moon said Friday, according to South Korean news service MoneyToday.

Moon has been placing more emphasis on commonalities with U.S. policy, in order to address rising concerns in Washington his administration could be at odds with the United States on critical issues like THAAD deployment, strategies in dealing with Kim Jong Un or even the future of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.