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New Zealand deploys troops for Korea, U.S. joint training in show of partnership

Published: 02 Apr. 2026, 06:00

A New Zealand Army infantry platoon is boarding a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules to Korea for training and activities alongside Korean and U.S. forces in this photo from early March. [NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE]

In early March, New Zealand soldiers stepped into a vastly different training environment than that of back home. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployed a 34-strong infantry rotation to Korea to train alongside Korean and U.S. forces for three months.

The platoon, which arrived in Seoul on March 5, has been conducting field exercises at various training centers around the country including the world-class Korean Combat Training Center, working closely with Korean troops and U.S. Army partners in the region. Exercises include close country, littoral and urban training scenarios. The large-scale drills offer a level of complexity that is difficult to replicate in New Zealand.

The training provides an opportunity for the troops to share knowledge and compare techniques while learning from each other both professionally and culturally.

Lieutenant Colonel Al Mitchell, the NZDF's senior national officer to operation monitor, told the Korea JoongAng Daily last week the deployment is, “an example of the ongoing commitment of both countries to the assurance of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and importantly provides the opportunity to reinforce and enhance our defense relations.”

The commitment is rooted in a long shared history. New Zealand and Korea’s partnership dates back to the 1950-53 Korean War, where New Zealand served as a part of the United Nations Command. More than 6,000 New Zealanders saw combat on the peninsula and 45 were killed.

That legacy is particularly present this year, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. Taking place from April 22 to 25, 1951, the Battle of Kapyong is widely regarded as the most significant action fought by New Zealand and Australian troops during the war.

“It’s a poignant reminder of the sacrifice that our nation made alongside our Korean and United Nations Command member state nations in this conflict,” said Lt. Col. Mitchell.

Today, as like-minded democracies in the Indo-Pacific region, the two nations maintain close cooperation, particularly amid the current economic repercussions of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

Members of the infantry platoon are awarded the U.S. Army’s Elite infantryman Badge during last year’s first rotation in this photo from 2025. [NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE]

This infantry rotation marks the second time New Zealand has deployed troops to Korea for training. A platoon came for the first time last year in what the NZDF describes as a “tremendous success.”

The achievement and lessons from last year’s experience are shaping how the current platoon trains and operates.

“Our people, as well as the wider NZDF, learned a great deal from the [first] deployment,” said Mitchell. “Part of the learning opportunity is now to build upon this and continue in the development and progression of this activity for all those parties involved.”

Captain Mathew Peri, the New Zealand Army’s lead national officer on the ground in Korea, said the experience provides exposure to larger, more advanced militaries, and experiences far beyond what is available to him at home.

“The Republic of Korea Army is much larger and has a range of capabilities that the NZDF doesn’t have. They operate with a very clear focus given the difficult relationship with their neighbor to the north. Because of that, their training is often focused on high-intensity, large-scale conflict. This is quite different to how we operate…”

The first infantry platoon rotation trains a variety of skills, including medical evacuations, in this photo from 2025. [NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE]

Beyond the training grounds, the deployment also offers a chance to engage with Korean culture and history, something many of the soldiers are eager to experience.

“I’m really keen to get out and see as much as I can while I’m here,” said Capt. Peri.

“With the Korean Peninsula having such a rich and complex history, I’m also keen to visit culturally significant sites, including places connected to the Korean War and Korea’s early history, such as the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.”

Now a few weeks into the deployment, the troops say the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. They describe their Korean counterparts as incredibly welcoming, humble and highly professional.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to build those relationships and training together for the remainder of our time in theater,” said Capt. Peri.

The New Zealand troops will remain in Korea until June, continuing a deployment that recalls a shared history and growing partnership.

BY ALICIA CARR [[email protected]]