During the world wars, our troops cherished any mail they received
from home, and in return, did whatever they could to reply to their families and loved ones. Postcards – some made from fine French silk, others on the backs of cigarette boxes – were the most popular mode
of communication.
Today, our people deployed overseas send messages home
by email, skype or good old-fashioned post.
My role here on the Korean Peninsula is part of a multi -national mission led by the United States. Stability on the peninsula is critical to ensuring peace and prosperity across Asia.
The primary role of United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission is to supervise the access to and security of the
Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).
I am the Assistant Corridor Control Officer, responsible for the western
corridor connecting to the Kaesong Industrial Complex (an industrial park in North Korea just across the DMZ from South Korea). With the thawing of the relationships between South and North Korea , the corridor is becoming busier.
Recently a lot of food aid and medical aid – such as 500,000 doses of the H1N1 anti viral drugs – were sent to North Korea.
Once in a while you hear sabre-rattling from the North, but at the same time there is a lot of co-ordination going on between the respective South and North authorities, especially enhancing facilities in the joint South-North industrial complex in North Korea.
Although this means more work for me as part of the Corridor Control team, at the same time it is encouraging that more and more North Korean employees are employed in KIC, and South Korea is showing keen interest in opening more factories.
From my perspective it is a very interesting posting because what I am working on is looking into the future. I would like to quote the words of President ROH Moo-Hyun (the former president of Korea) which are carved on a granite block and placed at the entrance to the Corridor West. They read: "This road leads to peace and prosperity". They are profound words and I certainly believe that one day, that road will lead to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
FGOFF Charanjit Singh – RNZAF
Send us your messages and memories of loved ones who have served in past wars or to people currently serving in the armed forces.
You can also post a message directly in the Auckland War Memorial Museum's official Book of Remembrance.
