New Zealand is more likely than not to secure a much-coveted free trade deal with South Korea and it could be signed within a year, Prime Minister John Key says.

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.

South Korea's second city Busan is an entirely different place to when New Zealanders passed through it on their way to the frontline of the Korean war in 1950.

Goose-stepping soldiers, columns of tanks and a broad array of ominous-looking missiles poised on mobile launchers paraded through Pyongyang's main square in a painstakingly choreographed military pageant intended to strike fear into North Korea's adversaries and rally its people behind young ruler Kim Jong Un on the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War.

A disgruntled businessman drove an SUV packed with gas cylinders at a commemoration service crowd where the New Zealand Prime Minister had been speaking yesterday.

Prime Minister John Key's image, along with that of Adolf Hitler were displayed on a vehicle which a protester attempted to drive into the crowd at South Korean armistice commemorations.

New Zealand Korean War veterans were serenaded with Po Kare Ana sung by a children's choir during South Korea's official commemoration of the 1953 armistice in Seoul this morning.

In the 4km wide demilitarised zone which separates North and South Korea, absurdities abound that would be laughable if not for the fact they reflect the deadly reality of war that is on hold rather than over.

Mr Key arrives in capital Seoul tomorrow where he will attend commemorations marking armistice that ended large-scale hostilities on the peninsula 60 years ago.

South Korea has reopened its landmark Namdaemun gate to the public, five years after the historic jewel in central Seoul was burned down in an arson attack that shocked the nation.

As tensions surrounding the world's most closed state escalate, Angus West asks experts from around the globe waht on earth they think is going on behind the sabre-rattling.

A cyberattack caused computer networks at major South Korean banks and top TV broadcasters to crash simultaneously.

Les Miserable star Russell Crowe has helped promote an epic parody of the film by the South Korean air force.

Park Geun-hye promises to reach out to North Korea with more humanitarian aid and deeper engagement after she moves into South Korea's presidential Blue House on February 25.

The decision by South Korea to start whaling is being labelled 'unnecessary' and 'reckless' by New Zealand's whaling commissioner.

Geoff Cumming makes the most of some unexpected spare time.