A large stone stands in front of Melbourne's new Korean War memorial unveiled recently by dignitaries and veterans.
It was donated by the Kapyong City Council of Korea as a token of remembrance and thanks to Australian soldiers who fought and died during the bloody fighting in that region and in other battles during the Korean War between 1950 and 1953.
Sungki Kim, Mayor of Kapyong, told SBS Korean that the stone was symbolic to Australian veterans due to the battle itself.
On one side of the monument, there is a large stone delivered by Gapyong City Council of Korea. Source: SBS Korean
The battle was fought in the Kapyong Valley over three days in April 1951 between the United Nations Command forces - particularly British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand forces - and the Chinese Communist People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) during the Chinese Spring Offensive of the Korean War.
“The Chinese infiltrated and attacked repeatedly Australian and Canadian positions through a human-wave strategy," Sungki Kim said.
"Even though the Australian and Canadian soldiers were outnumbered by up to five times against the Chinese Communist People’s Volunteer Army, the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment kept their position on Hill 504 and the 2nd Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry successfully kept their position on Hill 677.”
The Australian army suffered heavy losses during the battle - with 32 dead and 59 wounded - but their efforts forced the PVA to withdraw, closing the door to their advance towards Seoul.
Korea,1951. Lieutenant Leonard Montgomery (centre, front row) MC and the Royal Australian Regiment (3Par) Source: Australian War Memorial
For their part in the battle, the Australians were awarded the high distinction of a Presidential Citation of US President Harry Truman.
“The Battle of Kapyong is regarded as a glorious and honoured battle in the history of Australian forces. That is Kapyong,” Sungki Kim said.
The stone is part of a new memorial at Quarry Park in Melbourne, which is dedicated to the 17,000 Australians who served during the war.
Kapyong veteran receives the US Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation Device from General James Van Fleet. General Van Fleet, Commanding the 8th US Army. Source: Australian War Memorial
The exterior panels of the memorial feature national flowers, wattle for Australia and the Mugunghwa (rose of Sharon) for Korea. The monument's walls include 17,000 holes, for veterans to place poppy flowers inside.
Australian forces were one of the first to offer military assistance to the US and South Korea after the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea began its invasion into the south on July 25, 1950.
All three branches of Australia’s armed services took part in the war. Some 340 lost their lives, 1200 were wounded and 30 were taken as prisoners.
Jong-gon Choi, president of the National Unification Advisory Council in Melbourne said the memorial's design was derived from the strong bond between South Korea and Australia.
Source: Supplied
“This is a bridge style. It looks like Taegukgi from the Korean national flag from the top," he said.
"We designed it with a bridge style to explain the strong friendship between South Korea and Australia. These white stones are from Kapyong and the other half is Australian bluestones."
National President of the Korea Veterans Association of Australia Tom Parkinson said: "It’s been a long time we waited for this. And now this memorial is an acknowledgement of the Victorian veterans of the Korean War.”
Mr Parkinson, who was shipped to the conflict at the age of 19, said he "couldn't be anymore prouder for the lads who did the job" in Kapyong.
"[The memorial] is very important, it's not a matter of glorifying war, that's the last thing in anybody's mind. It's so the present generation can be aware of what has happened and what war entails. Nobody wins in a war."
Korean war veteran Tom Parkinson following the commemorative service for the 65th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. Source: AAP
Woo-jin Pi, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea, said the monument was a symbol of friendship that connects the veterans of both countries, as well as post-war generations.
“I was deeply impressed by the memorial that has been built in the shape of a bridge. The memorial will act as a bridge between Korea and Australia and between the people of the two strong allies,” Woo-jin Pi said.
“I also believe that it has a special meaning as a symbol of interaction between veterans and the post-war generation.”
'Blood, tears and sweat'
The memorial was a joint initiative between the South Korean government, who pitched in $250,000, the Victorian government who allocated $100,000, and the Korean community and veterans groups, who donated $200,000.
Maribyrnong City Council provided the site and researchers and designers from Swinburne’s Centre for Design Innovation.
Robin Scott, Minister for Veterans of Victoria said the memorial would serve as a place where people can respect, honour and commemorate the contribution and sacrifice particularly those who lost their lives.
The memorial in Melbourne is Australia's fourth such site following ones built in Canberra in 2000, Sydney in 2009 and Gold Coast in 2011.
Baeksoon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Australia hoped that memorials would continue to be built across Australia.
Source: Maribyrnong City
“I think the Korean War memorial will continue [with efforts] to build in WA and Tasmania,” Mr Lee said.
“Through the construction of this memorial, we thank the soldiers who fought in the Korean War and we will continue to express our gratitude.”
Source: SBS Korean
