Young Koreans and New Zealanders thank those who fought

Young South Koreans and New Zealanders gave thanks to New Zealand Korean War veterans in a special performance to close the Korean Vision Camp 2020 at Parliament today.

The performance, dance and songs by the young participants, was followed by a lunch to show gratitude to the veterans for their service in the Korean War 70 years ago.

Attending the lunch were Korean War veterans, South Korean Ambassador Seung-bae Yeo, New Zealand Korean Veterans’ Trust trustees Chris Griggs and Michael Stephens, Veterans’ Affairs representatives, representatives from South Korea’s Ministry for Patriots, representatives from the South Korean Embassy, and representatives from the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association.

New Zealand Korean War veterans were presented with medallions made from fence posts used at the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea by His Excellency Mr Seung-bae Yeo, Ambassador for the Republic of Korea.

In addition to the dance and songs the young Korean and New Zealanders read a joint letter of thanks to the veterans and told stories of their family connections to the Korean War.

The Korean Vision Camp 2020 included commemorative activities throughout the Wellington region and Camp participants were able to meet Korean War veterans and learn about the experiences.

The Camp was part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans’ Affairs and New Zealand’s Veterans’ Affairs.

The Vision Camp brought together young people from South Korea and New Zealand, some of whom are descendants of Korean War veterans, to enhance the friendship that was established between those who served in the Korean War.

It provided an opportunity to thank Korean War veterans for their service and to acknowledge their sacrifices through a programme of commemorative activity, cultural experiences, and appreciation activities.