Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin welcomed Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Mr Yang Kim to Canberra today to discuss plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War next year, before attending a service to mark Korean Veterans’ Day. Minister Griffin and Minister Kim attended the service at the Australian National Korean War Memorial on Anzac Parade to mark Korean Veterans’ Day and to lay a wreath to commemorate those lost.

“As we gather here today, we pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in the Korean War including 340 Australian servicemen and women. We are proud of their efforts in helping to ensure the freedom of the South Korean people and we will continue to honour their memory,” Mr Griffin said. Minister Griffin said Australia and South Korea enjoyed a close bond forged during the Korean War when Australian servicemen and women came to the aid of the South Korean people. More than 17,000 Australians served during the Korean War, helping to defend and protect the South Korean people,” Mr Griffin said.

When the Chinese launched their spring offensive on 22 April 1951, some 700,000 Chinese troops began advancing across the breadth of South Korea from the Yellow Sea to the Sea of Japan. Near Kapyong, around 2000 Commonwealth and US forces – including men from the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment – successfully held off the advance; demonstrating again the bravery and ingenuity of Australians in battle. The Ministers also discussed cooperation on upcoming plans to mark the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War in 2010.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to talk with Minister Kim about commemorating this important anniversary for both the South Korean and Australian people,” Mr Griffin said. “Korea is often referred to as the ‘forgotten war’ – overshadowed in history by the scale of the Second World War which preceded it. But the contribution of the Australian men and women who served in Korea was important, and this anniversary will be a chance for us to appropriately honour their service and sacrifice and commemorate all those lost.”