Karakia and waiata mixed with strains of bagpipes and brass as Korean War veterans from New Zealand and 10 other countries reunited to pay their respects yesterday to slain comrades who lie in the UN War Cemetery at the southern port city of Busan.
The veterans attended a UN service at the rain-soaked cemetery where 2300 of their comrades who died during the war lie.
"Each and every one who served stood for, and continues to stand for, honour, freedom and peace," said US War Memorials Commissioner Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel.
Thirty-four Kiwis are buried at Busan, including Oamaru man Edward Allnatt, at whose grave Veterans Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse offered respects on behalf of the Otago Korean War Veterans Association.
The 30 Kiwi veterans who made the trip to South Korea arrived at the New Zealand section of the cemetery to a karakia from the Defence Force Maori Culture Group.