Ann-yong ha-sae-yo yoro-būn (greetings everyone)
Thank you for having me here today. I am visiting the Republic Korea at the invitation of the Korean government for the 70th anniversary commemorations of the Armistice.
New Zealand and Korea share a close bilateral defence relationship, with our defence forces having served alongside each other since the 1950s, in support of peace and security and the international rules-based order.
The strong relationship between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea today has been strengthened by the contribution New Zealanders have made towards peace, security and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Today we particularly remember those who lost their lives in service to New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.
As Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, I look forward to visiting New Zealand defence personnel deployed at the DMZ who are tasked with the same mandate of bringing peace and security to the Korean Peninsula. New Zealanders are proud of their contribution and look forward to their safe return home.