United Nations Command commemorates Korean War in London
UNC representatives from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia gathered at the memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens to reflect on the sacrifice of those who served following the outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula in 1950.
For Australia, the service served as a reminder of a significant chapter in the nation's military history. Over 17,000 Australians served during the Korean War as part of the multinational force, with 340 losing their lives and over 1,216 wounded in the defence of the Republic of Korea.
Lieutenant General Winter, who assumed the appointment of UNC Deputy Commander in January 2026, reflected on the legacy of those who served and the enduring relevance of the mission they helped establish.
“To our veterans and their families – your sacrifice has built a thriving democracy and economy for the Republic of Korea, all rebuilt from the ashes of conflict. Your sacrifice was not in vain, and it will never be forgotten by the Korean people, nor those who continue to serve within the United Nations Command today”.
Established in 1950 following the UN’s recognition of North Korea’s aggression against South Korea, UNC coordinated the contributions of 22 nations during the Korean War. Today, 18 Member States continue to support the command's mission of maintaining the Armistice Agreement and preserving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
“While the strategic environment has evolved considerably since the Armistice was signed in 1953, UNC's purpose remains unchanged,” Lieutenant General Winter said.
“Through multinational cooperation, military readiness and enforcement of the Armistice Agreement, the command helps deter aggression, investigate violations, and maintains the conditions for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
“The UNC Member States enduring strength lies not only in its military capability, but also in the multinational relationships, command structures and interoperability developed over decades of cooperation.”
The service also recognized the United Kingdom's historic contribution to the Korean War, which ended combat operations through an armistice signed in 1953. More than 81,000 British personnel served during the war, making Britain the second-largest contributor to the United Nations force after the United States of America. British units suffered casualties that included 1,078 killed in action, 2,674 wounded in action, and 254 missing in action, forging ties with the Republic of Korea that continue more than seven decades later.
Today, the United Kingdom remains a key contributor to UNC through senior leadership and staff officer appointments across the tri-command structure.
“As an active member of the United Nations Command, the UK remains deeply committed to maintaining the armistice agreements, preserving the hard-won peace and ensuring the enduring stability across the Korean Peninsula” said Air Marshal Marshall.
The service was conducted at the Korean War Memorial in London, a gift from the Republic of Korea to honour British service during the conflict whose inscriptions commemorate the multinational nature of the war and sacrifices made by those who served under the United Nations flag. The memorial, unveiled in 2014, features a bronze statue of a British soldier, standing before an inscribed Portland stone obelisk.
More than 70 years after the Korean War, UNC continues to uphold the Armistice and supports stability on the Korean Peninsula. The service served as a reminder that the sacrifices made by Australian, British and other United Nations Command personnel remain central to that enduring mission – Under One Flag.
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