A U.S. delegation led by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will lead a private delegation to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) April 8-11 in search for remains of soldiers, the White House said Tuesday.

The visit, invited by Pyongyang, will be jointly led by Republican former veterans affairs secretary Anthony Principi, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

"The United States Government has invested considerable energy in persuading the DPRK (North Korea) to adhere to the provisions of the Armistice Agreement that cover repatriation of remains," Perino said in a statement.

"This trip will reinforce progress already achieved in this area. A small number of U.S. officials will accompany the delegation to provide support and technical expertise," she said.

More than 33,000 U.S. troops were reportedly killed in the Korean War, which began in June 1950. More than 8,100 U.S. servicemen are still listed as missing from the Korean War.