A Department of Defense scientist said Thursday that the remains returned to the U.S. by North Korea are “consistent” with those of other Americans recovered from the Korean War.

“Everything we saw was consistent with indeed being from the Korean War, and consistent with these remains being good candidates for being missing Americans from the Korean War,” said John Byrd, the director of analysis for the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), after a preliminary review.

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North Korea had agreed to return the remains of Americans killed in the Korean War as part of agreement reached between leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE in Singapore in June.





The remains were flown out of North Korea last week. The Associated Press reported that only one military dog tag was included with the 55 boxes that were went.

Officials predict that it could take years to identify the remains.

About 5,300 Americans did not return from the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 until 1953.

Vice President Pence greeted the remains as they arrived in Hawaii on Wednesday, and attended a repatriation ceremony.

Trump thanked Kim in a tweet early Wednesday for the remains’ return, adding “l look forward to seeing you soon!”