History
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Korea) recognises New Zealand personnel who have served in the Republic of Korea since 1 January 2001 with the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission or the United Nations Command Honour Guard Company, the bodies that continue to uphold the armistice that halted the Korean War in 1953. The award was authorised by regulation in September 2008, and it replaced the earlier New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 clasp for continuing Korea service.
The qualifying period is thirty days in Korea with the relevant United Nations Command body. As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing among the foreign awards.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 is a single medal issued with a different ribbon for each operation, established by royal warrant in 2002 to recognise the service of New Zealand Defence Force and civilian personnel in operations since 1 January 2000. The medal is circular and silver-plated. The obverse bears the effigy of the reigning Sovereign. The reverse bears the words THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL within a wreath of fern fronds, pohutukawa and kowhai blossoms, surmounted by a Royal Crown. The recipient's details are engraved on the rim, and the operation is identified by the colours of the ribbon.
The ribbon
Red centre with yellow and light blue stripes.
The ribbon has a central stripe of red, with narrow stripes of yellow and broad stripes of light blue on either side. The light blue alludes to the United Nations, and the red and blue are the colours used in the flags of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for service in Korea since 1 January 2001.
- New Zealand personnel who served thirty days with the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission or the United Nations Command Honour Guard Company qualify;
- It replaced the earlier General Service Medal 1992 clasp for continuing service in Korea;
- As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing among the foreign awards.
Order of wear
These are New Zealand campaign medals. In the Australian Order of Wearing they are worn among the foreign awards, after Australian honours and awards. In the New Zealand system they are worn in order of the date of the qualifying service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Korea) awarded for?
Service by New Zealand personnel in Korea since 1 January 2001 with the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission or the United Nations Command Honour Guard Company.
What do the ribbon colours mean?
A red centre with yellow and light blue stripes; the light blue alludes to the United Nations, and the red and blue are the colours of the flags of the two Koreas.
What is the qualifying period?
Thirty days in Korea with the relevant United Nations Command body.
How does it relate to the older Korea award?
It replaced the earlier New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 clasp for continuing service in Korea after 2000.
Does it have a clasp?
No; the operation is identified by the ribbon rather than a clasp.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a New Zealand campaign medal, among the foreign awards in the Australian Order of Wearing.