Korean War Memorial, Canberra facts for kids
The Australian National Korean War Memorial is a special place in Canberra, Australia's capital city. It's located on Anzac Parade, a famous street with many memorials.
The Korean War started on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. About 17,000 Australians joined the fight, working with the United Nations. The war ended in 1953. This memorial remembers and honors all the Australians who served and those who lost their lives.
Exploring the Memorial's Design
The design of this memorial helps us understand what the Korean War was like. It uses white and grey colors, along with granite stone and gravel. These materials remind us of the harsh weather and tough land that soldiers experienced in Korea.
On both sides of the memorial, you'll see figures representing Australian soldiers, sailors, and airmen. These are the brave people who served in Korea. Large rocks from battlefields are placed among many stainless steel poles. These poles stand for all the Australians who died during the war.
A path leads you to a quiet, partly enclosed space. Here, a large rock from a Korean battlefield is the main focus. It has the words "Peace and Independence" written on it in Korean. Inside this space, you'll find pictures, maps, and text etched into stainless steel panels.
These panels tell the story of Australians in the Korean War. On the left, you learn about the general story. On the right, you can read about the specific roles of the Navy (nine ships and an air group), the Army (including 3 RAR), and the Air Force (77 Squadron).
A special scroll lists the 21 nations that sent troops or medical teams to help the United Nations during the war.
At the front of the memorial, a tall, pointed stone called an obelisk remembers those who died but whose graves are unknown. The words on this stone come from the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Korea. This creates a strong connection to the Australians buried there.
How the Memorial Was Dedicated
A special ceremony to start building the memorial happened on September 17, 1999. Kim Dae-jung, who was the President of South Korea, and John Howard MP, the Prime Minister of Australia, took part. A foundation stone marks this important event.
The memorial was officially opened in the presence of Sir William Deane AC K.B.E., who was the Governor-General of Australia, and John Howard MP, the Prime Minister of Australia.
Gallery
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A view of the memorial's design
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Close-up of the memorial's details
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Another perspective of the memorial
