Kiwis in Korea (1951)
Channel: Archives New Zealand
Date: 2012-10-17

On 25 June 1950, amid global tensions created by the Cold War, the Korean War erupted. Lasting three years, the conflict had huge ramifications for Korea as well as relations between nations around the globe. As New Zealand was part of the United Nations response, the war also had a dramatic influence on its relationship with the United States, and its own economy.

As nzhistory.net.nz notes, "New Zealand was one of the first states to answer the Security Council's call with combat... On 29 June 1950, the government offered two frigates, and HMNZS Tutira and Pukaki left Auckland on 3 July." By 1957, 4700 New Zealanders had served as part of the New Zealand contingent - 'K-Force' - under UN Command; 1300 served on the frigates during the war and for a period after the Armistice (1953-1957); and 45 men died serving in New Zealand forces.

'Kiwis in Korea' (1951) is a short National Film Unit production showing New Zealand forces in action during the conflict. Archives New Zealand holds other NFU films about Korea, including 'K-Force' (1950: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlK4xOCvoBE), Pictorial Parade No.7 (1953: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zXiPyIYF64#t=35) and 'This is Korea' (1959: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr2h5X8V6c0). 

More information on New Zealand's involvement in the Korean War can be found at http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/korean-war 

Archives Reference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igRjgTJSask

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