75th commemoration of the Korean War
A Westminster Hall debate on the 75th commemoration of the Korean War is scheduled for Wednesday 22 October 2025, from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. The debate will be opened by Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP.
2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, which began on 25 June 1950 and concluded with an armistice on 27 July 1953.
In December 2014 a Korean War Memorial, a gift from the Republic of Korea to honour the British troops that served in the war, was unveiled in London.
The UK commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War in 2023.
UK contributionOver 81,000 British service personnel were deployed during the Korean war, making it the second-largest international contribution after that of the United States.
Of this number, over 1,100 were killed in action, thousands were injured and 1,060 were taken as prisoners of war.
Further information on the Korean War, the UK’s contribution, and a summary of how Parliament was kept informed at the time, is available in the House of Lords Library paper, Korea: Remembering the UK’s contribution (11 June 2020).
News and media articlesThe following is a selection of press and media articles relevant to this debate.
Please note: the Library is not responsible for either the views or accuracy of external content.
North Korea's Kim vows to win anti-US battle marking Korean War anniversary
Reuters
27 July 2025
On Korean War anniversary, president prioritizes peace for national security
The Korea Times
Anna J. Park
25 June 2025
Chinese state media largely silent on anniversary of Korean War outbreak
NK News
Dave Yin
25 June 2025
Lee Jae Myung stresses peace on peninsula ahead of Korean War anniversary
The Korea Herald
Son Ji-hyoung
24 June 2025
The US Army once ruled Pyongyang and 5 other things you might not know about the Korean War
CNN
Brad Lendon
24 June 2025
The Royal Family marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War
Buckingham Palace
19 March 2024
Korean War veteran looks back on 70th anniversary of armistice
BBC News
Ethan Gudge
11 August 2023
Press releasesUK remembers the sacrifice of the armed forces in the Korean War
Ministry of Defence
27 July 2023
Commemorations are being held across the country to remember the sacrifice of British soldiers in the Korean War, with more than 1,000 killed in action.
Memorial to the Korean War unveiled in London
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3 December 2014
A new memorial to the conflict often dubbed ‘the forgotten war’ has been unveiled today at a ceremony in central London.
PQs15 Oct 2025 | 773 cc370-1
Asked by: Alex McIntyre
Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the battle of the Imjin river, where the 29th Infantry Brigade’s last stand prevented the capture of Seoul during the Korean war. That hill is now called Gloster Hill as a proud testament to the incredible bravery of one of those battalions, our glorious Glosters. Will the Prime Minister join me in calling for a commemoration of the glorious Glosters, and all those who fought to defend democracy, liberty and freedom in South Korea?
Answered by: The Prime Minister
I join my hon. Friend in marking the heroism and sacrifice of the 29th Infantry Brigade, which is an enduring example of the bravery of all our armed forces. I know that Defence Ministers would be happy to discuss commemorating their courage. Our debt to the armed forces underlies our commitment to veterans, which includes delivering homes for heroes and a new network of veteran support centres, backed with £50 million.
12 Sep 2023 | 197390
Asked by: Jim Shannon
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to acknowledge and commemorate the contribution of British service personnel during the Korean War.
Answering member: Dr Andrew Murrison | Ministry of Defence
On 27 July 2023 the Ministry of Defence supported the Royal British Legion to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. An event was held on Horse Guards Parade with invited veterans and families as well as ticketed guests, with tri-service involvement and representation throughout the Service. The service acknowledged the contribution of the 6,000 Service personnel from across Britain and the Commonwealth during the Korean War, including the 1,100 who lost their lives.
03 Jul 2018 | HL8890
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool | Party: Crossbench
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions have been held with the United States authorities about the repatriation of the remains of United States and British servicemen killed during the Korean War; what is their estimate of the number of UK servicemen whose remains are still in North Korea; and what proportion this is of the total number of UK servicemen killed in the conflict.
Answering member: Earl Howe | Ministry of Defence
On 12 June 2018 President Trump and Kim Jong Un signed the Sentosa agreement, which included a commitment to recovering Prisoners of War - Missing in Action remains, including the immediate repatriation of those already identified. The UNC Military Armistice Commission have informed the UNC Sending States that a repatriation event for the transfer of remains will shortly be announced. Some of the remains may be from Sending States other than the US. UK and US officials are in discussion about the handling of remains that are demonstrated to be other than US personnel.
From 27 June 1950 to 27 July 1954, 1,129 UK Armed Forces died as a result of the Korean War[1]. An exercise is currently under way to cross reference records in the UK and the British Embassy in Seoul of those personnel with no known grave, to confirm the number of personnel whose remains might possibly be in North Korea. I will write to the noble Lord when this work is complete.
[1] For deaths prior to 1984, Defence Statistics (Health) uses the AFM database and specifically the 'Theatre' field to identify all those personnel who died as a result of operations in a medal earning theatre
16 Oct 2017 | Written questions | Answered | House of Commons | 106918
Asked by: Dr Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK is under any obligation to provide military support to the Republic of Korea in the event of a resumption of hostilities on the Korean peninsular under the terms of (a) the Joint Policy Declaration on the Korean Armistice, signed in Washington DC on 27 July 1953, (b) any resolution of the UN Security Council or (c) any other international treaty agreement.
Answering member: Mark Field | Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The UK is not under a legal obligation to provide military support to the Republic of Korea. We continue to be an active member of the United Nations Command which, since the end of the Korean War, has continued its important work to maintain the armistice agreement between the two sides. We also enjoy a strong and growing bilateral security and defence relationship with the Republic of Korea.
Early Day Motions75th anniversary of the Korean War
EDM 1498 (session 2024-26)
17 June 2025
Carla Lockhart
That this House marks the 75th anniversary of the commencement of the Korean War, which began on 25 June 1950 and concluded with an armistice on 27 July 1953, a conflict that remains unresolved and, in the view of many, under-recognised in public memory; acknowledges the service and sacrifice of the approximately 60,000 British combat troops, including both regular soldiers and national servicemen, who served during the war; notes with deep respect the loss of over 1,100 British personnel and 37,000 American lives; recognises in particular the significant contributions of the Royal Ulster Rifles (1 RUR), who served in Korea from 1950 to 1951 and played a vital role in the battles of Chaegunghyon (Happy Valley) and the Imjin River, suffering 102 fatalities and 207 taken prisoner, of whom 31 tragically died in captivity; and supports continued efforts to ensure the legacy and sacrifices of those who served in the Korean War are appropriately honoured, preserved, and remembered by future generations.
Further readingThe Korean War, Royal British Legion webpage
Commemorating the Korean War, US Department of War webpage