Wreath-laying to mark 62nd Anniversary of Korean War
Friday 22 June 2012, 4:51PM
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The 62nd anniversary of the start of the Korean War will be commemorated at a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Warrior on Monday 25 June.
The ceremony will be attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Mr Yongkyu Park, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Hon Nathan Guy, Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Jack Steer, and General Manager Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand, Rick Ottaway.
Media are invited to attend the commemorations.
What: Wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 62nd anniversary of the start of the Korean War.
Where: National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Buckle Street
When: Monday 25 June, 11.00am
BACKGROUND
New Zealand answered the first UN call for assistance on June 29 1950, and offered two Royal New Zealand Navy frigates – HMNZS TUTIRA and HMNZS PUKAKI.
New Zealand was involved in Korea for seven years. During this time 4700 personnel served in Kayforce and a further 1300 served on Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) frigates. Forty-five men lost their lives, seventy-nine were wounded, and one member of Kayforce was taken prisoner and held in North Korea for eighteen months before being released.