75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War

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Event details

Background

To mark the 75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will hold a National Commemorative Service at the Australian National Korean War Memorial in Canberra on 25 June 2025. 

More than 18,000 Australians served during the Korean War and post-armistice ceasefire monitoring. 340 Australians lost their lives, more than 1,200 were wounded, and 30 were taken prisoner. Of those who lost their lives, 42 have no known grave.

Another 16 Australians died serving in South Korea with the ceasefire monitoring force in 1953-57, and 11 died serving in Japan with base units of British Commonwealth Forces Korea.

This anniversary provides the opportunity to honour and remember the service of all Australian men and women who served in the Korean War, and the sacrifice of their families.

What to expect

The service will be broadcast nationally by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and streamed online. The ABC will also make the broadcast available to other networks to provide all members of the community the opportunity to acknowledge the anniversary in a solemn and dignified manner from their home.

Planning your attendance

Please register your attendance

DVA encourages all attendees planning to attend the service to register via the online registration system. Alternatively, you may provide your name and contact details for registration to DVA via email to  Commemorative.Events@dva.gov.au.

A ticket/attendance pass will not be required to enter. However, the registration process will ensure that adequate arrangements can be put in place.

Overview of the commemorative site

The Australian National Korean War Memorial is located on Anzac Parade, Canberra, south of the Australian War Memorial between Currong Street and Constitution Ave. A commemorative site will be established on Anzac Parade and a number of road closures and restricted areas will be in place. 

All attendees should follow the direction of staff to access the entry points to the service.

Attendees are encouraged to plan their journey and arrival times carefully. We encourage you to arrive early to ensure you have sufficient time to progress through the entry point and obtain the best possible seat. A pre-service program will commence at 10:00am and we advise attendees to arrive early and be seated by 9:45am.

For your comfort, complimentary tea, coffee and water will be available onsite.

Site Map

Seating

Seating will be available for attendees at the service. Limited accessible seating will be available for attendees at the service who have health or accessibility requirements. If accessible seating is required, please ensure that when registering your attendance that you nominate and describe your accessibility requirements. Those requesting accessible seating can be accompanied one carer or companion, and/or their approved assistance dog, with them to provide support.

Attendees with an accessibility requirement or who require assistance to the seating area are encouraged to register online or contact commemorative.events@dva.gov.au and also make themselves known to DVA staff at the entry gate on arrival. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available.

Toilets

Temporary toilets – including some accessibility toilets – and hand-washing facilities will be installed specifically for the service. It is important to remember that there are limited toilet facilities and no infant changing or parenting facilities will be available at the site.

What to take

Please ensure you have everything you will require prior to leaving for the service including any medications, warm and wet weather clothing, appropriate footwear and any mobility aids you require.

DVA will provide hand sanitiser and face masks should you wish to use them.

Media

The service will be broadcast live across Australia by the ABC. There will be media present at the service. Attendees should be aware that camera operators move around the site, and that cables may be laid along the ground. Please take care. 

To preserve the solemnity of the commemoration, roaming by the public during the service is not permitted. 

Accredited media will be restricted to designated media zones.

Transport arrangements

Getting to the Australian National Korean War Memorial

There is no dedicated parking at the service and there will also be road closures in place on the day. Road closures will surround Anzac Parade, Anzac Park East and Anzac Park West between Constitution Avenue and Currong Street/Blamey Crescent. 

Access to these roads will be by authorised vehicles only with the appropriate accreditation on display. Attendees are encouraged to use public transport where possible.

Private vehicles and accessibility parking

Travel by private vehicle is not recommended. There is very limited on-street parking available in the vicinity of Anzac Parade.

Limited parking is available on Anzac Park East for attendees who arrive at the service by private vehicle and require accessibility assistance. Attendees that require accessibility assistance and who wish to park here must display their Government Issued Disability Parking Permit for access. Traffic controllers will direct you where to park on arrival.

Alternatively, attendees with accessibility assistance requirements may be dropped-off and picked-up by private vehicle closer to the seating area within the commemorative site. Attendees must display their appropriate Government Issued Disability Parking Permit for access to the drop-off/pick-up zone on Anzac Parade southbound (see Accessibility Map below).

Taxi services will only have authorised access to enter Anzac Park East, where attendees with accessibility requirements can be dropped off and picked up between Page St and Blamey Cres, entrance via Constitution Ave.

The site is accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers. Access to seating and the marquee from the road onto the median strip is fixed with accessible ramps at the entry points.

Attendees with an accessibility requirement will need to alert staff on arrival to the service.

Accessibility Map