A Kiwi Korean War veteran was brought to tears after visiting the grave of his “great friend” who was lost during the war in 1951, for the first time.

John Barnett travelled to Korea, alongside veterans from 22 countries around the world, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice on July 27.

Originally from Piopio, Barnett was among the first New Zealand Defence Force Personnel to be sent to the Korean War, on board HMNZS Rotoiti in 1950. He returned on a second tour from 1952-53 on the HMNZS Hawea.

Despite this, it was during this trip that Barnett first set foot on Korean soil.

“Fantastic place, fantastic people” he says.

He, and fellow Kiwi Veteran Ronald Pocock, visited the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday and laid a wreath to remember the 32 New Zealanders buried there.

More than 6000 New Zealand Defence Force Troops served in Korea during the war. Less than 200 of them are alive today.

Barnett’s friend, Able Seaman Robert (Bob) Marchioni, is one of two New Zealanders to have headstones at the cemetery, although their bodies were never recovered.

Marchioni was part of a small group of six men, one of three from his ship, the HMNZS Rotoiti, who were sent behind enemy lines to capture a prisoner, his brother previously told Stuff.

When the group was spotted, Marchioni stood up to throw a grenade and was shot in the chest, killing him.

Barnett said it was heart-wrenching to be able to visit his friend’s memorial for the first time.

“It was something I’d wanted to see for a long time. It’s fantastic to see him here. I think of him most days,” he says.

The pair were both 19-years-old when they served together on the Rotoiti. Barnett said Marchioni was the ship’s barber and that he had cut his hair the day he died.

Barnett said he would be going straight back to the Hamilton RSA to tell Marchioni’s brother all about the day.

Standing alongside him this week was fellow veteran Ronald Pocock, who served on the HMNZS Kaniere during the conflict.

Pocock travelled from Whanganui to Korea with his granddaughter Aimee to be there for the armistice anniversary.

He says he found it very emotional, and it was special to have her there alongside him.

Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro also travelled to South Korea for the commemoration. She laid a wreath at the New Zealand Memorial alongside the president Suk Yeol Yoon.

The pair met earlier this week and discussed the armistice commemorations, recent extreme weather events and the possibility of further collaboration and investment between the countries.

“There is a strong history of friendship between our countries, and in my conversation with President Yoon, we agreed there is even more we can do to build on this,” she said.

Aged 91 and 89 respectively, it is possible these will be the last living Kiwi Korean War veterans that return to Korea.

The Korean Ministry for Veterans Affairs funds a trip for veterans and their families every year to thank the men for their efforts during the war and to show the progress that peacetime has enabled them to make.

After a poignant morning in the beating sun, Barnett and Pocock were very much looking forward to finding a cold beer.

Shannon Redstall and Chris Skelton’s travel to South Korea was made possible by the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

-Shannon Redstall/Stuff.