The mystery surrounding a US soldier who vanished on the Korean War battlefield 60 years ago has been solved after his remains were identified using DNA testing.

Corporal AV Scott was 27 when he disappeared during an attack by communist forces.

The Pentagon says it has identified Corporal Scott in one of 208 coffins bearing the remains of US soldiers, which were returned by North Korea about a decade ago.

It said he had been captured east of Seoul and marched north to a prisoner of war camp in Suan county, North Korea, where he died, according to fellow soldiers.

"North Korean documents turned over with the boxes indicated the remains were exhumed near Suan county, which correlates with Scott's last known location," the defence department said in a statement.

Corporal Scott was identified using DNA testing and dental comparisons with his cousins.

He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington on June 22.

More than 8,000 American prisoners of war remain missing from the Korean conflict.

- ABC/AFP