The Korean conflict of 1950-1953 was a bloody theatre of the Cold War that claimed the lives of a staggering 1.2 million combatants – commencing less than five years after the carnage of the Second World War. After three years of fighting, on 27 July 1953, an armistice was signed resulting in a cease-fire and the partition of the Korean peninsula along the 38th parallel. To this day, a formal peace agreement has not been concluded and, technically, the war continues.
Australian involvement in the conflict came as part of the 930,000 strong United Nations force that was mustered to repel North Korean, Chinese and Soviet aggression in the South. More than 17,000 Australians from all three services were sent to Korea, where 340 were killed and over 1,216 wounded. Australians were involved in decisive moments during the course of the conflict, including at Kapyong, where 3RAR and other Commonwealth units halted the advance of Chinese forces towards the southern capital of Seoul. For the collective heroism displayed during this action, the Battalion was awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation.
Australians continued to serve in Korea until 1957, helping to enforce the tenuous peace achieved in July 1953. Some 43 Australians are still listed as missing in action.
The Korean peninsula remains a focal point of international politics, and on this day we commemorate the service and sacrifice of Korean War veterans.