Armistice in Korea, 1953-2023, a new exhibition at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park Sydney, honours the service and the sacrifice of Australian Korean War veterans and features the photographs and stories of 11 veterans.
Minister for Veterans David Harris joined Mr Taewoo Lee, Consul-General of the Republic of Korea to open the photo exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Armistice of the Korean War.
"Seventy years ago on 27 July 1953, the Armistice was signed to end hostilities in Korea and effectively bring an end to war. This exhibition honours the contribution and sacrifice of 11 Australian veterans of the Korean War, with photographs and digital stories of their service.
"Importantly, we remember not only the 11 veterans featured in the exhibition but all 17,164 Korean War veterans who willingly risked their lives for the freedom of the Republic of Korea," Mr Harris said.
Mr Taewoo Lee, Consul-General of the Republic of Korea acknowledged the Korean government's efforts to honour the noble sacrifice and dedication of Korean War veterans.
"To ensure that their sacrifice is remembered, we thought it would be meaningful to organise a collaborative photo exhibition with the New South Wales Government. We plan to continue our efforts to pass on the legacy of Korean War veterans to future generations, and we hope that this exhibition will serve as a catalyst for such endeavours," Mr Lee said.
The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border and rebellions in South Korea. North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union while South Korea was supported by the United States and allied countries including Australia. The fighting ended with an armistice on 27 July 1953.
Over 17,000 Australians served during the Korean War, of which 340 were killed and over 1,216 wounded. A further 29 had become prisoners of war.
"I would like to thank the Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea for photographing these veterans and enabling us to work together to honour their service. The photographs and digital stories produced are essential to ensuring their sacrifices are not forgotten, and their legacy is passed down to future generations," Mr Harris added.
The exhibition will feature in the Auditorium at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park Sydney through to the end of July. For more information visit the Anzac Memorial event page.
