THE KOREAN WAR SERVICE MEDAL

Obverse: A global projection emblem, on which is depicted a map of Korea. Below this are two crossed bullets. On the outer edges of the medal are two olive branches.

Reverse: Plain.

Size: 32mm in diameter.

Ribbon: 35mm wide. Yellow with light blue outer medium stripes, inside of which are narrow white, red and white stripes.

Suspension: The ribbon is threaded through a 12mm diameter ring fixed to the top of the piece.

Instituted by the Republic of Korea, the medal was originally offered to the United Nations Forces in Korea and adjacent waters in 1951 but many were unable to receive the medal due to the laws of their countries at that time.

However, in 2000 the medal was awarded to veterans from the United States of America through the co-operation of the United States Ministry of Defence. In 2001 the Republic of Korea advised the governments of New Zealand and other British Commonwealth countries that took place in the Korean War, such as Australia, Canada and South Africa, that it wished to award the medal to Korean War veterans of those countries.

The New Zealand government obtained permission from Queen Elizabeth II for all those surviving New Zealanders who served in Korea to accept and wear the Korean War Service Medal which the Government of the Republic of Korea wished to confer on them.

Regulations For This Award: View Regulations (PDF document)

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