MATTERS OF INTEREST

KOREAN WAR

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (15:38): This year marks the 60^th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. It is often a forgotten conflict in 20^th century history. We tend to think principally of Vietnam when we think about Australia's defence actions since the Second World War and, while the conflict in Vietnam was certainly a large and tumultuous one and very significant in our national life, we must not forget the contribution of Australian service men and women in Korea.

The Korean Peninsula was essentially divided at the Potsdam Conference in 1945, with the north supported by the Soviet union and the south supported by the United States and the West. The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 as a result of an invasion of South Korea by North Korean forces. The South Korean capital of Seoul fell to the North Koreans less than a week after the initial invasion. The United States offered air and sea support to the South Korean government almost immediately.

The United States officially described the war as a police action and the US Congress did not actually declare war on North Korea. The United Nations Security Council requested all its members to assist in repelling the North Koreans and 21 nations responded to the call and provided air, sea and land support. Members of Australia's 77 squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force and the 3^rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment bravely assisted the United Nations multinational force to defend South Korea.

Australia increased its commitment to the war in June 1952, when it sent its 1^st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment to join the commonwealth division. The battalion remained in Korea for 12 months and was replaced by the 2^nd Royal Australian Regiment in April 1953. The participants in the conflict bore a heavy cost for it. Over the three years of the conflict, 339 Australians were killed in action and more than 1,500 were wounded. Over 33,000 US military personnel and almost half a million South Koreans died. The death toll for North Korea and its allies is unknown.

On 27 July 1953, three years and one month after the war began, an armistice was signed that put an end to the fighting. Australia maintained a presence in Korea, with an Australian peacekeeping force remaining until 1957. As we know, the situation remains a tense ceasefire between the north and the south to this day. I am sure we are all aware of the continual tension that exists between the two countries, particularly with North Korea and its potential aspirations for weapons of mass destruction.

Like Berlin in the Cold War days, the difference between life in a communist dictatorship and in a free nation is shown starkly by the contrast today between North and South Korea. As members would be aware, the Korean War conflict, in which a lot of Australians served and 399 Australians sadly lost their life, is often not remembered as well. I was fortunate to be in Washington DC about 11 years ago and was able to see the new Korean War memorial that has been put on the mall, as they call it, which is a fitting testament to those who served in Korea. I encourage all members and South Australians generally to remember the sacrifice and valiant service of those Australians who served in South Korea and whose contribution has ensured that it is a free and prosperous nation today.