A soldier of 3 RAR stares into the frozen waters of the Han River, January 1951.P01813_555

The Korean War began on 25 June 1950, when North Korean forces launched an invasion of South Korea. Personnel from the Australian Army, RAAF, and RAN fought as part of the United Nations (UN) multinational force, defending South Korea from the Communist force of North Korea.

The end of the war came with the signing of an armistice on 27 July 1953, three years and one month after the war began. The ending was so sudden that some soldiers had to be convinced it really was over. After the war ended, the presence of Australians in Korea continued with a peacekeeping force until 1957.

More about the Korean War

Essays, articles, and talks

• Korean War, 1950–53
• Australian military unit profiles: Korea, 1950–53
• "The Korean War and Australia": Australian War Memorial Anniversary Oration by Robert O’Neill, 11 November 2003
• Encyclopedia entries :
  • Kapyong battle
  • Korea: United Nations Force Contributions
  • The battle for Maryang San
  • Australian prisoners of war: Korean War

From the collection

• Australian Army war diaries: Korean War
• Official histories: Korean War

Find a person

• Roll of Honour: details of members of the Australian armed forces who died on active service.
• List of those missing in action in Korea

Research guides

• Information sheet: researching Australian military service: Korean War, 1950–53
• Chronological guide to official records: Korean War, 1950–53
• Reading list: Australian involvement in the Korean War

Exhibitions

• Conflicts 1945 to today
• Out in the cold: Australia’s involvement in the Korean War: online exhibition

External links

• Department of Veterans' Affairs: Nominal Roll of Australian Veterans of the Korean War