New Zealand Defence Force to deploy additional personnel to Korea

The NZDF will deploy up to 41 additional personnel to the Republic of Korea, expanding its contribution to the United Nations Command (UNC) and its Military Armistice Commission from 12 to a total of 53 personnel.

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel deployed to the Republic of Korea will see a significant increase, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today.

The NZDF will deploy up to 41 additional personnel to the Republic of Korea, expanding its contribution to the United Nations Command (UNC) and its Military Armistice Commission from 12 to a total of 53 personnel.

"This decision underscores our strong commitment to the Republic of Korea and our role in supporting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific region," said Minister Collins.

"This deployment presents an excellent opportunity for our NZDF personnel to apply their skills, leadership, and experience in a multinational environment."

Of the additional personnel, up to six will serve in the UNC Honour Guard, while an infantry platoon of up to 35 will join the UNC Security Battalion operating in the Demilitarised Zone between North and South Korea. They will work alongside forces from contributing nations such as the Republic of Korea, the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines.

"Significantly increasing our deployment to the Republic of Korea highlights the importance New Zealand places on collective security efforts to maintain peace, stability, and the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region and on the Korean Peninsula," Minister Peters stated.

The mandate for this long-standing deployment has been extended until September 2026. The NZDF has been contributing to the UNC and its Military Armistice Commission since 1998.