Dame Cindy and Dr Davies travelled to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand for the 70th anniversary commemorations of the Korean Armistice Agreement, and to acknowledge New Zealanders’ service in the Korean War. The New Zealand military was involved in the Korean War from 1950 to 1957, serving as part of the 16 country United Nations force.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were welcomed to Korea mihi whakatau at the New Zealand Residence in Seoul, followed by a visit to the War Memorial of Korea. Later, Dame Cindy met with the President of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol.
Their Excellencies travelled to Camp Bonifas, the UN Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area (JSA) on the southern boundary in the Demilitarized Zone, which forms the boarder between North and South Korea. That evening, Dame Cindy spoke at a Thank You Banquet for veterans of the Korean war. There, she met 92 year-old veteran John Barnett from Cambridge, who served in Korea as a Signalman for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The next day included a visit to the Busan Museum of Art, and a visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea. At UNMCK, Dame Cindy was joined by President Yoon and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg for a wreath-laying ceremony. The final day saw Dame Cindy present scholarships to students of Gapyeong Middle School.
While in Korea, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies also had the chance to visit SM Entertainment to learn more about K-pop and its global influence. They met with Choi Siwon from K-pop group Super Junior, and had a tour of SM Entertainment's recording studios.
Speech at the Thank You Banquet
Speech at the War Memorial of Korea
