Conflict had erupted over who would control the Korean Peninsula three years earlier and tensions remain to this day, with over 17,164 Australians in the Army, Navy and Air Force serving as part of the United Nations (UN) multinational force, defending South Korea from the Communist forces of North Korea and China.
Mr Yang said it was also an opportunity to commemorate the Battle of Gapyeong (Kapyong) anniversary, April 23-24, 1951, which is regarded as the most famous and significant action fought by Australian armies as part of the United Nations Command under General Douglas Macarthur.
Thirty-two Australians were killed and 53 were wounded for their part in stalling the Chinese advance and preventing Seoul from falling into enemy hands.
Among the visitors was veteran Sang Tae Shin of the Korean Veterans Association in Korea.
“The group was very interested to learn about the workings of our local RSL and how we support our veteran community,” Mr Yang said.
It was also a chance to remember the Korean War which is sometimes called ‘the forgotten war’ because it was largely overshadowed by WWII and Vietnam; its importance is vastly understated as this conflict marked the first clear battle of the Cold War.
