Korean Veterans' Mortality Study Consultative Committee and Ex-Service Organisation Representatives

The First report "Cancer Incidence Study 2003" Australian Veterans of the Korean War" was released on 2 December 2003.

The second report "Mortality Study 2003 Australian Veterans of the Korean War" followed on 18 March 2004.

The initial requirement to create a comprehensive study Roll of all veterans of the Korean War allowed the creation of The Commonwealth roll for all Australian Veterans of the Korean War. This major project to honour and commemorate the service of Korean War veterans is now completed.

The official, commemorative nominal roll of the Australian veterans of the Korean War lists all Australian Servicemen who were deployed in Korea between July 1950 and April 1956. The roll is available on the DVA website at www.koreanroll.gov.au

Health Study of Korea Veterans

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, De-Anne Kelly MP, has announced the final results of a three part study into the health of Australian veterans of the Korea War. Overall, the results of the study showed that surviving Australian Korea War veterans, approximately five decades after the Korea War, are experiencing significant excesses in several measures of psychological ill health, lower life satisfaction and poorer quality of life, and excess medical conditions and hospitalisations compared with a group of similarly aged Australian men who were residing in Australia at the time of the Korea War. 

All three reports in the series of health studies are available on the DVA website  at www.dva.gov.au 

Australian Government Post-Armistice Korean Service Review

The Government has established the review to investigate the appropriate level of recognition of service by Australians in Korea following the armistice in 1953. The Working Party has been asked to report on a range of issues, including the award of campaign and operational medals for that period.

A series of public hearings have been held around Australia where individuals and other groups interested made submissions. The Review team's report was handed to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon. De-Anne Kelly MP, on 20th December 2005. 

Minister OUTLINES GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO Post-Armistice Korea Service Report

The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, the Hon Bruce Billson MP, has today outlined the Government’s response to the Defence aspects of the Post-armistice Korean Service Review Report.

  Some Australian ex-service personnel have strongly lobbied to have the Australian Service Medal 1945 – 75 upgraded to the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) 1945-75 and accompanied by the issue of the Returned from Active Service Badge (RASB).

  While acknowledging these efforts, Mr Billson said that after further consultation and careful consideration, the Government has accepted the view of Defence that the service of those in post-armistice Korea was not considered “warlike” for the purposes of awarding the AASM 1945-75 or RASB.

  He reiterated that the end of the combatant phase of the Korean War was defined by the signing of the Armistice on 27 July 1953.  

  “The Armistice was clear and unambiguous in putting in place a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea,” Mr Billson said.

  “Although the Working Party’s findings recommended the establishment and awarding of a General Service Medal (GSM) and RASB, only one Australian military service medal is awarded to recognise a single type of service in such circumstances. The ASM 1945-75 with Clasp ‘KOREA’ has been duly awarded for this service,” he said.

  “In line with this policy, the award of the RASB is inconsistent with the awarding of the ASM, as the RASB is only awarded for “warlike” service.”

  Mr Billson said the medal system’s “rule-making” is already subject to intense scrutiny up to the highest levels of government.

  “In particular, I have great faith in the existing Interdepartmental Committee (IDC) and its ability to appropriately advise the Government on matters relating to Defence Honours and Awards,” he said.

  The Post-armistice Korean Service Review identified the names of 18 Australians who died after the cessation of hostilities.

  Mr Billson is examining possible options for commemorating those who died while serving our country in post-armistice Korea, in an appropriate way.

  Further information, including the text of the Post-Armistice Korean Service Review, can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpe_site/honours_awards/korea.htm

Media information: Cameron Hill  (Mr Billson) 03 9781 2333  0408 239 521

Defence Media Liaison                                               02 6265 3343                   0408 498 664

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This page was last modified 21-06-2008.