Abstract
On 25 June 1950, the armed forces of the People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) invaded the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Four days later, on 29 June 1950, New Zealand decided to assist in defending the territorial integrity of South Korea and despatched two Naval vessels to serve in Korean waters. On 26 July 1950, the Government decided to extend this assistance by providing an artillery battalion to serve on the ground in Korea. Once again, New Zealand had become embroiled in a war in a foreign country many thousands of miles away, and in which it had no immediate interests at stake. This essay attempts to examine the circumstances and reasons behind the Government's decision to make these commitments. [extract from Preface]