September 27, 2006
Navy man Fraser Toulmin returns to New Zealand in early October after six months deployed to the border between North and South Korea, working under the United Nations.
Far from the home farm at Elsthorpe in the Hawkes Bay, Fraser is responsible for monitoring the movement of goods and personnel from South Korea, through the demilitarised zone to North Korea. “Being immersed in another culture has been brilliant. The Korean people are very friendly and the culture is so interesting. I learn something new everyday.”
Working for the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC), Fraser is one of three New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed to the region.
“I’ve enjoyed working with foreign militaries, and getting an insight into how they conduct operations. Living and working on the most fortified border in the world, there is always something interesting to see and be involved with.”
On a daily basis Fraser conducts routine inspections of the guard posts and fortifications throughout the DMZ, and monitors and investigates any violations of the Armistice Agreement. The work includes frequent briefing and escort duties of important visitors from around the world, often including high-profile embassy staff from the 16 countries committed to the separation of forces, and peace, within the Korean peninsula.
Fraser attended Napier Boys High School as a boarder at Scinde House until 2002. He joined the Navy “because I wanted a career that would challenge me both mentally and physically.”
For someone who wants to travel the world, Fraser lists his current deployment as a career highlight, along with two deployments onboard HMNZS TE MANA, to the Arabian Gulf in 2004, and to Vladivostok, Russia in 2005. Fraser also fondly recalls being part of the decommissioning crew of the last Leander class frigate, Canterbury in March 2005.