국가보훈부

66 participants including the Commonwealth veterans of the Korean War from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and their family members will visit Korea for 6 days.

The participants will attend the wreath laying ceremony in the Seoul National Cemetery, the Battle of Gapyeong Commemoration Ceremony, and the Korean War Veterans Commemoration Ceremony in United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK).

Rear Admiral David Proctor, the Chief of Royal New Zealand Navy, will pay an honorary visit to Korea and attend some of the ceremonies.

A large group of the Commonwealth veterans of the Korean War and their family members will visit Korea. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (Minister Pi Woo-jin) said on April 19 "The ministry plans to invite 66 participants including the Commonwealth veterans of the Korean War from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and their family members from April 22 to April 27, marking the 68th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong."
* 26 Commonwealth veterans and 40 family members / 24 participants from the United Kingdom, 21 from Canada, 15 from Australia and 6 from New Zealand

The participants include Mr Michael Philip Woodley, a British war hero who fought against the Chinese communist forces in the Battle of Gapyeong in April 1951 and the nephew of the late Mr James Patrick Daunt, the youngest UN veteran of the Korean War from Australia interred in the UNMCK. In addition, Mr Ian McLean Crawford, a former Australian navy who fought in major naval battles during the Korean War including the Incheon Landing Operation, will also grace the program with his presence as the President of the Korean War Veterans Association of Australia.

In particular, Rear Admiral David Proctor, the Chief of Royal New Zealand Navy, will pay an honorary visit to Korea on the occasion of the launch ceremony of HMNZS Aotearoa. During his stay, the Chief of Royal New Zealand Navy will attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service alongside the Commonwealth veterans to honor UN veterans of the Korean War.

A navy veteran from New Zealand who will attend the launch ceremony of HMNZS Aotearoa, Mr Alfred Raymond Lowe, said, "I am very impressed with the fact that a once war-torn country which needed help from the UN allied nations is now helping New Zealand build its navy ship. I have a great pride as a veteran who fought in the Korean War."

Major events of the April Revisit Korea Program are as follows.

On April 23, the participants will attend the Battle of Gapyeong Commemoration Ceremony hosted by the British Embassy to Seoul in remembrance of the fallen heros who fought to defend freedom and peace of Korea.

On April 24, the participants will lay wreaths in the Korean War Veterans Commemoration Ceremony hosted by the Canadian Embassy to Seoul in order to honor their comrades who rest in peace in UNMCK. Prior to the ceremony, the Chief of Royal New Zealand Navy and veterans from New Zealand will attend the launch ceremony of HMNZS Aoatearoa in the City of Ulsan.

In the morning of April 25, the participants will attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service jointly hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Embassies to Seoul and subsequently lay wreathes while visiting the Wall of Remembrance in the War Memorial of Korea and the Seoul National Cemetery.

In the morning of April 26, the participants will attend the Battle of Imjin Commemoration Ceremony 2019 organized by the British Embassy to Seoul in Gloster Hill Memorial Park. In the evening of the same day, they will take a tour of Insadong and royal palaces. Lastly, the participants will attend the Thank You Banquet hosted by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

The UN Veterans Revisit Korea Program was held initially by a private organization from 1975 to 2009. However, in light of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War in 2010, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs took the responsibility as the organizer of the program. A total of 33,000 UN veterans of the Korean War and their family members visited Korea and the program has significantly contributed to enhancing Korea's image as a country which never forgets the veterans' noble sacrifice and contributions 68 years ago.