Commemorating Korean Veterans' Day

On this day, we honour the almost 18,000 Australians who served, and we remember the more than 340 Australians who lost their lives.

The Korean War began on 25 June 1950, when the Korean People's Army of North Korea invaded South Korea. Within days, South Korea's capital, Seoul, had fallen. For the people of Korea, and for those who came to their aid, the war brought great hardship, loss and uncertainty.

Australia was the second nation, behind the United States, to commit to sending their troops into the conflict. Those Australians served far from home, in difficult and dangerous conditions.

The Korean War became one of the most destructive conflicts of the modern era. Many of Korea's major cities were devastated, and the death toll rose to about 3 million people, including many civilians. The scale of suffering reminds us of the human cost of war.

Fighting formally ended on 27 July 1953, when an armistice was signed by officials from the United States, North Korea and China. While the armistice ended the fighting, the memory of those who served and suffered endures.

Some Australian defence personnel remained in Korea until 1957, serving as part of a multinational peacekeeping force in the post-armistice period. Their service continued the work of helping to maintain stability after the fighting had ceased.

The Korean War is sometimes called the 'forgotten war' because it took place between the better-known conflicts of the Second World War and the Vietnam War.

Korean Veterans' Day helps ensure that the service, sacrifice and courage of those who served are not forgotten.

Melbourne Legacy also stands to ensure that the sacrifices of their families are not forgotten, particularly through the facilitation of widows’ events. These events offer our community of widows the opportunity to connect with others who truly understand what they have experienced.