Today marks Korean Veterans’ Day, when we commemorate the more than 17,000 Australians who fought to defend South Korea against invading forces from North Korea and China between 1950 and 1953.
On 27 July 1953, the Korean War Armistice was signed, marking the end of the three-year conflict.
Australian soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses were involved in the war as part of a multinational United Nations force, and won international respect for their courage, endurance and combat skills in very difficult conditions.
Federal Member for Blair and Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann encouraged all Australians to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all the brave Australian men and women who served during the Korean War.
“Our defence personnel fought with distinction and were involved in impressive victories at Kapyong in April 1951 and Maryang San in October 1951.
“Altogether, more than 17,000 Australians served during the Korean War and in the Post-Armistice peace-keeping phase up until 1957, including some 50 nurses.
“Tragically, 340 died, some 1,500 were injured, 29 were taken prisoner and 43 are still listed as missing in action.
“Today I was honoured to attend a Commemorative Service at the Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall lay a wreath for the 68th anniversary of the end of the Korean War,” Mr Neumann said.
“It was pleasure to catch up with Ipswich RSL Sub Branch Life Member and Korea veteran Matt Rennie OAM, and hear from guest speaker Ms Juhee Park from the Korean Society of Queensland about the gratitude of the South Korean people for Australia’s efforts to defend their country.
“The Korean War is sometimes referred to as the ‘forgotten war’, as it occurred between the Second World War and the Vietnam War, which was the first war to be covered extensively on television.
“Every year on 27 July, we remember all those who served, and all those who lost their lives, so that these men and women, and their families, know that they are not forgotten,” Mr Neumann said.
More information on the Korean War is available on the Korean War page on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Anzac Portal.
