Minister Blaney and Veterans Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone

REPUBLIC OF KOREA, April 23, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, and Canadian Veterans today visited the strategically and historically significant joint security area at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea.

They paid tribute to the 27,000 Canadians who served in the Korean War, including the 516 Canadians who gave their lives defending South Korea's freedom. The Minister and Veterans are in the Republic of Korea in honour of the 60^th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.

This area is most notably known for the peace talks that were held here on October 25, 1951, and was designated as the Joint Security Area on July 27, 1953, when the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. It is the only place where North Koreans and South Koreans can come in contact on a daily basis and make efforts towards peace in Korea.

For more information on Canada's role in the Korean War, visit veterans.gc.ca.

Image with caption: "Minister Blaney and Canadian Korean War Veterans at the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone. (CNW Group/Veterans Affairs Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130423_C7672_PHOTO_EN_25914.jpg

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada

For further information:

Media inquiries:
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468

Jean-Christophe de Le Rue
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-797-0671