A chance to honour Korean War veterans
On 25 June 2025, the nation will pause to remember the sacrifices of those who served in the ‘forgotten war’.
Next week marks the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War – a brutal conflict that has often been overshadowed by the world wars that preceded it and other conflicts since.
But for those who served, including nearly 18,000 Australians who fought under the United Nations banner, it was no less significant or scarring.
The Korean War began on 25 June 1950, when North Korean forces, backed by China and the Soviet Union, crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea. In response, a UN coalition led by the United States, and including Australia, mobilised to defend South Korea’s sovereignty.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will honour the occasion with a National Commemorative Service on 25 June 2025 at the Australian National Korean War Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC TV from 10.30am.
Australian troops from the Army, Navy, and RAAF were among the first to answer the call, just five years after the end of World War II.
Australia’s involvement was swift and sustained. The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), earned a reputation for courage and effectiveness in pivotal battles such as Kapyong and Maryang San.
Australian pilots flew hundreds of missions in support of ground forces, while the Royal Australian Navy provided vital support in coastal operations.
The war claimed the lives of 340 Australians and left more than 1,200 wounded. Yet it has come to be known as the “forgotten war”, overshadowed in our national consciousness despite the sacrifice of so many.
With each passing year, the number of surviving veterans from World War II and Korea dwindles. These men and women, who served their country in the 1940s and 1950s, formed the backbone of post-war Australia, helping to secure peace abroad and rebuild a nation at home. Their contributions laid the groundwork for Australia’s growing identity as a global citizen.
As we commemorate this solemn milestone, it’s vital we remember not only the Korean War veterans but also all Australians who have served in conflict and in peace-keeping roles. Their legacy should be honoured through education, public remembrance, and support for their families and communities.
As the World War II generation fades and the Korean War veterans follow, now is the time to ensure their stories are preserved and their sacrifices acknowledged.
This is an opportunity to recommit to keeping their memory alive for generations to come.
Related reading: DVA75 , Australian War Memorial
