26 June 2000

DUNNE TO SEEK PARLIAMENTARY RECOGNITION OF NEW ZEALAND'S KOREAN WAR EFFORT

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, says he will seek belated recognition by Parliament of New Zealand's Korean War effort when Parliament resumes on Tuesday.

Mr Dunne says the New Zealand Parliament has never formally recognised the contribution of New Zealand's armed forces to the Korean War, which began 50 years ago this week.

"It is a tragedy and a national shame that the Korean War has become the forgotten war, and the 50th anniversary of its outbreak provides an opportunity to put that shame to rest and to recognise the contribution and sacrifice New Zealand forces made to that conflict."

"I therefore intend to seek the leave of the House to move on Tuesday that:

'This House places on record its profound acknowledgment of and gratitude for the contribution and sacrifice made by all the New Zealand armed forces personnel who served in the Korean War campaign, and extends it best wishes to the veterans and their families as they gather to commemorate the 50th anniversary of that campaign.'

"I will be seeking the support of all parties for this resolution, which is an important opportunity to correct the peculiar oversight of the last 50 years, which has seen the contribution of the thousands of New Zealanders who fought on the Korean peninsula to secure South Korea's freedom ignored," Mr Dunne says.

ENDS

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