Korean Embassy honours Kiwi veterans
29 May 2020
Seventy years on, the sacrifices of New Zealanders in the Korean War have not been forgotten.
Earlier this week, the Korean Embassy handed out face masks to war veterans and veteran’s widows to help protect them from COVID-19 and show them South Korea’s gratitude.
The embassy gifted face masks to 74 New Zealanders on May 27 and 28.
Throughout the Wellington region, the job of delivering the masks fell to Korean Embassy officials. In other regions, due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the masks were delivered with the help of local Korean Associations.
Des Vinten (left) receiving face masks provided by the Korean Embassy. Vinten was a motorcycle dispatcher in the war and is part of the New Zealand Korean War Veterans Association.
A spokesperson for the embassy said the important thing about the initiative was showing a token of appreciation for the veterans.
“As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, South Korea decided to provide face masks to Korean War veterans as an expression of gratitude for their sacrifice and contribution during the war.”
In return, many of the veterans expressed their appreciation to the Korean government for its support.
More than 6000 New Zealanders served in Korea between 1950 and 1953, with the majority serving under UN command.
Kayforce – the New Zealand contingent – saw 4700 Kiwis dispatched to Korea. According to New Zealand History, after the armistice was signed in 1953, a reduced number of New Zealanders stayed in Korea in a garrison role, before being withdrawn fully in 1957.
The delivery of the face masks was part of a wider drive initiated by the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee in South Korea.
Korean War veterans in 22 countries received face masks as part of the initiative.
Banner image: Laying is Gunner John Braithwaite, Palmerston North; ramming is Gunner Sam Gilbert of Samoa; loading is Gunner Peter Jansen of Pahiatua. Photograph taken in Korea, 1 April 1952, by Ian Mackley. Source: Wikimedia Commons
- Asia Media Centre