PM Transcripts

-ASIAN TOUR 1967 KOREA
. ELCOMIN ST. aTEMENT 3Y PRIE MIFISTER OF SOUTH KORT
AT K" IPO AIRPORT, SEOUL 6TH APRIL, 1967
Your Excellency Prime Minister Holt, Mrs. Holt,
distinguished members of the entourage and dear fellow citizens.
On behalf of the Government and neonle of Korea I
wish to extend my warmest welcome to Prime : inister and Mrs.
Holt, who have come a long way from Australia, one of our closest
allies. The Korean people vividly recall how the Australian
people came to our aid in our time of dire need. Je are also
fully aware of the great contrioutions Australia is making in the
cause of peace and progress in the Asian and Pacific re. ion. When
our independence and future were at stake on accoint of the
unprovoked communist invasion in 1950, Australia was among the
first free nations to dispatch combat troops of ' round, naval
and air forces to this country to help us defend our Republic
from external aggression.
Indeed, we feel forever indeated to those memoers of
the Australian armed forces who, despite enormous hardships,
valiantly fought in an alien land in the cause of freedom and
justice, marking brilliant records in the annals of the Korean
ar through their noble sacrifices. At the time when the comiunist
forces launched a full-scale offensive in the spring of 1951, the
all'ant Australian soldiers in the now famous battle of Kapyong,
though greatly outnumoered and under adverse conditions, held t
their positions to the last, helping the allied forces secure
their vital positions and finally frustrate the enemy's offensive.
Their gallantry and heroism are still fresh in our memory.
Through various United iations relief programmes the
Colombo Plan and the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia
and the Far East, Australia has helped us in the rehabilitation
of the war-torn country and the achievement of social and cultural
pro ress. As a memuer of the United nations Commission for
Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea Aust-ralia has also been
working strenuously toward our goal of bringing about a unified,
democratic and independent Korea.
Our hearts are overwhelmed today with deep sentiments
in welcoming Prime Minister Holt, the great leader of the Australian
people who have done so much for us.
Mr. Prime Minister, the Australian people have overcome
many an obstacle including adverse natural conditions to brin about
abundance and wealth, prosperity and welfare for themselves. Now
they are sparing no effort in helping other free Asian nations
overcome their adversities. Australia has also taken active part
in SEATO, ANZUS, ASPAC, the Manila Summit Conference and the
Asian Development 3ank, thereby contriouting greatly to the
progress and prosperity in the Asian and Pacific region and to
the collective security of the free nations in this part of the
world. the Korean people, have great admiration for your
people's courage, resourcefulness and the spirit of co-operation.
In Korea, we have been able to attain remarkable / 2