Korean society, veteran mark war’s 75th anniversary

Joined by family and members of the Dunedin Korean Society at WongGok Restaurant yesterday are (front, from left) Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to New Zealand Changsik Kim, Korean War veteran Ken Wright, 90, of Christchurch, widow Avro Carman and organiser and former president Euija Kim.

The annual event, now in its 30th year, was held by the society to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and honour members of K-Force — New Zealand veterans of the war.

Mrs Kim said when they started the event, in 1995, there were about 50 members of K-Force in attendance.

Now only one was left, she said.

Mr Wright said he joined the war at age 16 and served in the Royal Navy.

Yesterday’s gathering was "very nice" and the visiting ambassador was "like a next-door neighbour to me", he said.

Mr Kim said he was very honoured to join the celebration and was proud of the community’s dedication to veterans.