Families of American soldiers who vanished during the 1950-53 Korean War will visit South Korea next week, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Friday.

"Forty-nine family members of 26 U.S. soldiers missing in action (MIA) will arrive here on Monday for a six-day visit," said the ministry, which organized the trip. "The project is meant to console their grief and pain of losing their loved ones and to express gratitude for their commitment to the freedom of the peninsula."

Their schedule will include the participation of the briefing session on the Seoul-Washington excavation project of the missing service personnel and memorial ceremonies as well as visiting relevant facilities including the truce village of Panmunjeom.