‘Forgotten War’ memorialised in Kings Park
A memorial honouring Australian servicemen and women who fought in the Korean War has been unveiled in Kings Park to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the armistice.
State Premier Roger Cook joined Korean Ambassador His Excellency Kim Wan Joong, members of the Korean War Memorial Committee, Ministers and parliamentary members, veterans, Kings Park Board and honoured guests to open the memorial in a solemn commemoration service. The unveiling was followed by a dedication and wreath laying ceremony.
The Korean War is commonly known as the ‘Forgotten War’.
It began when North Korean troops invaded South Korea in 1950 following a period where the United States and the then Soviet Union accepted mutual responsibility for Korea at the end the World War II.
An armistice was signed on 27 July 1953.
The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority Board recognised that Kings Park is an important place of commemoration, reflection and social history, and approved the commencement of the memorial build at the intersection of Saw Avenue and May Drive in 2022.
The Korean War Memorial Committee fundraised the monument which features a 10-tonne stone centrepiece donated from South Korea by the Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province.
The natural feature comes from the Battle of Kapyong site, a battle which saw the courageous efforts of the significantly outnumbered 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment prevent opposition forces from recapturing Seoul.
The memorial was designed by the committee in consultation with Kings Park and Botanic Garden and Kings Park staff coordinated the construction of the project over a period of 18 months.
The Western Australian Government contributed $150,000 through ANZAC Day Trust Grants to the monument.
As part of the memorial project, POSCO and partner Roy Hill will fund a dedicated community gathering and performance space in the Tobruk Memorial Precinct at Kings Park
