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Anzac Day service remembers Australians and New Zealanders killed in Korean War

Published: 27 Apr. 2026, 20:19

New Zealand Chief of Army Major General Rose King, left, shakes hands with Australian Army soldier Corporal Cody Harris following the Anzac Day ceremony at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul. [Australian Defence Force]

As the dawn sunlight poured between the colonnade pillars of the National War Memorial of Korea in central Seoul, veterans, government officials, military officials and members of the public gathered to commemorate Anzac Day, with Anzac referring to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

Every year on April 25, people gather from all over the world to remember the fallen and surviving soldiers of Australia and New Zealand.

The day of remembrance began after Anzac forces played a major role in the failed campaign to take Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I.

This year's service in Seoul held particular significance as it came just a day after the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong, which took place from April 22 to April 25, 1951 — a turning point in the 1950-53 Korean War, when Australians and New Zealanders suffered significant casualties.

Veterans of the Korean War and other conflicts were invited to visit Korea to participate in both the Gapyeong anniversary and the Anzac dawn service.

Anzac veterans from other conflicts, such as the Vietnam War; the children of veterans who fought in Korea; the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish ambassadors to Korea and military complements from their respective countries; and military officials from Canada, Korea and the United States were also in attendance. Vice Minister of Patriots and Veteran Affairs Kang Yun-Jin represented the Korean government.

The morning sun pours through the colonnade at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul on Anzac Day on April 25. [Fergus Goodall Smith]

Anzac forces suffered significant casualties relative to the small size of the two nations' populations, with 340 Australians and 33 New Zealanders killed in the Korean War and many more wounded.

The ceremony began with a didgeridoo performance, a traditional Australian Aboriginal instrument, by Australian Cpl. Cody Harris.

The Anzac Ode was also read in Te Reo Māori, the native language of New Zealand.

Speaking to the Korea JoongAng Daily, Australian Ambassador to Korea Jeff Robinson said that the event would not have been possible without the support of the Korean government.

"I have to say that our ability to [...] commemorate Anzac Day here in Korea — we would not be able to do it without the support of our Korean host here," he said.

Robinson also explained how much Korea's success after the war meant to Australian veterans.

"The biggest thanks that veterans could ever get was actually the success of this country. I have spoken to many veterans over a long period of time. They come here, they see what Korea has become and they feel as though the sacrifice of their youth was actually worth it."

Australian Army soldier Cpl. Cody Harris plays the didgeridoo during a ceremony for Anzac Day at the Korean National War Memorial in Seoul on April 25. [Australian Defence Force]

New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Dawn Bennet described the event as a great moment to bring nations together.

"I think for [Anzac services] outside of New Zealand, [this is] a time [that] brings together the New Zealand and Australian community, so it's pretty special."

"The biggest battle that New Zealand and Australia fought in during the Korean War happened to be the same week," Bennet said, referring to the Battle of Gapyeong, which she said makes the commemorations "all the more meaningful."

"And so we have, in the end, a whole week of celebrations."

Russell Osbaldiston came all the way from Wellington, New Zealand, with his siblings to honor his father, who fought in the Battle of Gapyeong.

"He passed away years ago, and it's a way of honoring him and honoring all soldiers [who] fought in the wars," he said.

Kevin Hay, a New Zealand veteran of the Vietnam War, came to Korea because his army instructors had served in the Korean War and at the Battle of Gapyeong.

According to Hay, Anzac Day allows him to meet fellow veterans from different parts of the world. "It broadens your horizons," he said.

The service was a poignant reminder of the tragedy of war and the importance of peace. At a time when the world stands at a moment of volatility and conflict, the service highlighted the enduring peace that came from the turmoil of the previous century — and its fragility.

"It would be much better, of course, if we avoided war. These commemorations are really important to really recognize the cost of those choices," said Ambassador Robinson.

The New Zealand ambassador echoed Robinson's remarks. "This is all about recognizing the sacrifice of people, but [it is also about] recognizing what it was all for, which was peace, and peace is always better than conflict. So I think it's really important that we all remember the lessons of the past and don't fall into [such conflicts] again," said Bennet.

BY FERGUS GOODALL SMITH [[email protected]]