President Moon hosts dinner for Australian war veterans... Also pays tribute at Korean War memorial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the afternoon of the 13th (local time), President Moon Jae-in held the 'Australia Korean War Veterans Invitation Dinner' in Canberra, Australia.

This dinner was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Korea-Australia diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong. President Moon invited Australian Korean War veterans and their families to express gratitude for their sacrifice and dedication. The event was attended by President Moon and the First Lady, Australian Federal Government officials including Defense Minister Peter Dutton and Veterans' Affairs Minister Andrew Gee, as well as about 60 Australian veterans and their families.

The Battle of Gapyeong was an offensive by the Chinese Communist Forces from April 23 to 25, 1951. When the Chinese forces were expanding their breakthrough towards the Gapyeong area, the 27th Commonwealth Brigade, including Australian troops, desperately held off the Chinese forces, who outnumbered them five to one, around the Gapyeongcheon area.

Attendees watched a gratitude video recording the sacrifice and dedication of the veterans on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong, followed by remarks from President Moon, Minister Dutton, and Minister Gee. Before the dinner, Admiral Ian Crawford (90 years old) and General Colin Khan (90 years old) proposed a toast.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Admiral Crawford, who served in the Far East Fleet during the Korean War and is currently active as the president of the Korean War Veterans Association, said, "Even after decades, being recognized like this brings peace to our hearts, and you don't know how important that is," adding, "The Korean War is no longer the Forgotten War."

Meanwhile, before the dinner event with the veterans, President Moon paid tribute to the Australian Korean War veterans who sacrificed and dedicated themselves for the Republic of Korea by laying wreaths at the Australian War Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.