Media Advisory: Media Invited to Participate in Overseas Events Marking the 55th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(April 23, 2008) – The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, will lead a delegation of 30 Veterans to South Korea from July 7 to 15, 2008, to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. The official delegation will include Korean War Veterans, Aboriginal Veterans, representatives of major Veterans’ organizations, parliamentarians and youth.Media interested in accompanying the delegation must contact Veterans Affairs Canada at the number below, by May 2, 2008. Spaces are limited. Transportation and accommodation expenses will be covered by Veterans Affairs Canada. For those outlets with pay policies, these expenses are estimated to be approximately $7,400 per person. Media delegates are advised to speak with their local travel clinic to ensure they have the appropriate vaccinations for traveling to South Korea.

Criteria for Selection

The invitation to be an official media delegate will be open to mainstream newspaper, radio and television media, who satisfy the following criteria:

Essential Criteria – successful media must satisfy the following:

– A circulation/reach of at least 100,000.

– Commitment to file regular articles/stories back to Canada.

Additional Criteria – successful media must fall under at least one of the following categories:

– Reports widely published in both English and French.

– Major regional newspaper outlet with larger network membership or affiliation.

– Canadian radio outlet with Broadcast News feed.

– Major television network.

– Major Aboriginal outlet.

Asset Criteria – preference will be given to media who:

– Have reported on Veteran/commemorative issues in the past.

– Are capable of publishing in multiple formats (i.e. print, broadcast, Web, etc.).

– Target youth as an audience.

While in South Korea, the delegation will participate in ceremonies of remembrance at the Republic of Korea National Cemetery in Seoul, the Commonwealth War Memorial in Gapyong, the Canadian Korea War National Memorial Garden in Naechon, and the United Nations Memorial Cemetery of Korea in Busan. The delegation will also visit sites of historical significance and honour Canada’s fallen with visits to the Sang Seung and Panmunjom Observation Posts in the Demilitarized Zone.

From 1950 to 1953, more than 26,000 Canadians served in Korea. On July 27, 1953, the Korean War Armistice was signed, ending three years of war which claimed the lives of 516 brave young Canadians. After the Armistice was signed, an additional 7,000 Canadians served between the cease-fire and the end of 1955, with some Canadian troops remaining until 1957. For more information about the Korean War, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact

Veterans Affairs Canada
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
613-992-7468
janice.summerby@vac-acc.gc.ca