Veterans Affairs Minister Judith Collins has paid tribute to the veterans of the Korean War which began 60 years ago.
New Zealand was one of the first countries to respond to a request by the United Nations Security Council for troops to assist South Korea, when it was invaded by North Korea.
Over the course of the war, almost 5000 New Zealanders served in what became known as K-Force.
Another 1350 were deployed to Korea with the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Forty five New Zealanders lost their lives.
Ms Collins says the New Zealand troops showed courage in the face of constant danger.
A wreath laying ceremony was held at the National War Memorial in Wellington on Friday.
Commodore Bruce Pepperell laid a wreath on behalf of the Defence Force.
He told Morning Report that Korea was referred to as the 'forgotten war' because the 20th century was mostly dominated by the two world wars.
