Honouring veterans of the Korean War
On Korean Veterans’ Day, we remember the courage and sacrifice of the Australians who fought in Korean War – the first conflict of the Cold War. The 27th of July marks the occasion when, in 1953, an armistice was signed to end three years of fighting.
The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea (People’s Democratic Republic of Korea) launched an invasion of South Korea (Republic of Korea) in an attempt to unify the country under its communist government.
The Australian Government quickly committed to the war, deploying personnel from the Air Force, Navy and Army as one of the 21 member states of the United Nations which sent military forces to aid the South. It was also the first conflict for the newly formed Australian Regular Army.
Fighting conditions were harsh and hazardous, with troops experiencing severe climatic conditions and extremely challenging terrain.
Some 18,000 Australian military personnel served during the Korean War, including Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps nurses who served in Korea and attended to Korean War casualties in the British Commonwealth units in Japan.
Of those who served, more than 350 lost their lives during the war and in the post-armistice period, more than 1,200 were wounded and 30 taken prisoner.
After three years of fighting, Australians remained for another four years to help maintain a fragile truce.
On this day, we pause to honour the service of the Australian men and women who served in the Korean War.
(Image: Unidentified Australian servicemen line the decks of the transport or troop ship T120 as it leaves the dock at Kure harbour, Japan, to participate in the first Australian operations in the Korean War.)