[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]The New Zealand Prime Minister, RtHon John Key will attend a wreath laying ceremony at the ANZAC Memorial in Kapyeong at 1045hrs on Sunday 25 March 2012, to commemorate the sacrifices made by New Zealanders in the Korean War, 1950 –53. The ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Hon Park, Sung-Choon, the Australian Senior Trade Commissioner, Mr Martin Walsh, Chairman Chi of the United Nations Allies Korean War Allies Association, The Acting Mayor of Kapyeong, Mr Bae, Soo-Yong, LTGEN Kim, Hyun-Jip, Commander ROK (A) V Corps, and other distinguished military and civilian guests.

The ceremony will be supported by the US 8th Army Band and Honour Guard, with pre and post ceremony entertainment provided courtesy of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs by the world renouned ‘Little Angels’, the Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea, who visited in Auckland, New Zealand in 2010 as part of their 16 nation Korean War 60th Anniversary tour.

Following the ceremony the New Zealand Prime Minister will make a special presentation to Chairman Chi for his outstanding efforts on behalf of New Zealandand Commonwealth War Veterans over 50 years. Chairman Chi was instrumental in the foundation of both the Commonwealth and ANZAC memorialsin Kapyeong. Through his tireless efforts over many years he has promoted better understanding between the peoples of Korea and New Zealand.

The New Zealand Prime Minister will also present scholarshipson behalf of NZ Korean War Veterans to four local middle school children. These scholarships are part of a scheme originally conceived by Chairman Chi for veteran’s associations and expatriate companies to ‘form a bridge of remembrance’ to new generations.