This is a special day as we gather to remember the New Zealand and Australian participation in the Korean War on this occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong.

I am honoured to be here to pay tribute to all the New Zealanders and Australians who fought in the Korean War on land, on sea and in the air. It is particularly pleasing to see so many veterans here today.

The Korean War has a special place in the history of Australia and New Zealand. It was not the longest war either country has been involved in nor the largest. But it was among the hardest. With Hill 504 rising up behind us we can readily imagine the difficulties of terrain and climate that faced the young Australians and New Zealanders who volunteered to come to Korea in 1950. They had the enthusiasm of youth. They fought to defend the principle that people should be able to live in freedom and peace. They came as so often in the past century ANZACs have done, in furtherance of another country's integrity but also in defence of their own values and ideals. They came, for the first time under the flag of the United Nations, with the forces of 21 countries that were also determined collectively to advance the principles for which this new international organisation then stood, and still stands today.

At this site we remember in particular the Battle of Kapyong and the desperate struggle that was waged here. It was fitting that, as so often in the wars of the twentieth century, New Zealanders and Australians fought together. New Zealand artillery with Australian infantry, embodied the spirit of ANZAC. We remember too that this battle, important though it was in turning the tide, was just part of a difficult war in which our young soldiers, sailors and airmen were involved over several years.

And above all we remember the 339 Australians and the 45 New Zealanders military personnel who died in defence of Korea. We remember also that the highest price of all was paid by the Korean Armed Forces and the Korean people, who suffered devastating loss of life as their country was totally ravaged by war.

Those people who gave their lives in the Korean War would, I believe, be pleased to see Korea today. Like most of us they could not fail to be impressed with the remarkable changes in Korea since that time. They would have been amazed by the economic advances and proud of the democratic country that has developed with its commitment to human rights and social justice. And all veterans should take great pride from the important and close relationships that exist today at so many levels between New Zealand, Australia and Korea. Those friendships were forged in blood on the battlefield fifty years ago. Since that time in recognition of the fact that peace is not merely the absence of war but something that needs to be built in every area of society, scholarships have been awarded to students from Kapyong. These form a living memorial of the ANZAC role.

Korea's friends share its sadness that still after 50 years, the peninsula remains divided and families remain separated. But in the last year we have seen some remarkable moves towards reconciliation and a lasting peace. Most notable was the summit meeting between President Kim Dae-jung and Chairman Kim Jong Il. My government strongly supports the positive moves being made. We look forward to the day that military tensions on the peninsula are reduced and all Koreans can live with the precious gifts of democracy and freedom for which young Australians and New Zealanders struggled 50 years ago.

Today I say to all veterans gathered here; we honour you. You came to a faraway land to secure a better future for this country and peace for our region. You gave some of the best years of your youth and some of your comrades gave their lives. Your achievements speak for themselves; in the modern Korea you see today; in the friendship among Australia, New Zealand and Korea. On your behalf I would like to thank our hosts for providing us the opportunity to honour you in this wonderful setting. The Korean Ministries of Defence and Veterans' Affairs, the armed forces, the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, the administrations of Kyonggi Province and Kapyong-gun, the 66th ROK Division, the UN Korean War Allies Association and our scholarship sponsors. We all thank you, our veterans, for your service; it shall never be forgotten.