Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce on Sunday marked 60 years since Australia’s involvement in the Korean War (1950-1953) during a visit to Korea to participate in the presidential inauguration ceremony, the Australian Embassy said.

Bryce represented Australia at the presidential inauguration of Park Geun-hye, who is the first female president to be elected in Korea.

Bryce said that, standing beside the line that divides the two Koreas, she reflected on the courage and actions of the 17,500 Australians who fought in the United Nations’ forces.

“We honor the service of the 340 Australians killed in action, their legacy, their courage, the sacrifice they shared with millions of Korean civilians and military personnel,” the governor-general said.

“They laid the foundations for the strong friendship that exists between Australia and the Republic of Korea today ― a relationship forged in the pursuit of peace and security.”

Bryce was to lead a wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial on Tuesday to commemorate the involvement of Australian defense personnel in the Korean War.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)