Thousands of Canadians who fought in the Korean War were finally honoured Tuesday with their own day of remembrance.

Veterans and dignitaries paid tribute during Canada's first National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. (CBC)

About 400 veterans and dignitaries, including Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn and representatives from the government of South Korea, paid tribute at Canada's first National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.

The ceremony was held in a Brampton, Ont., cemetery, where a memorial wall honours the 516 Canadians killed in the war.

Joe Sweeney said the wall, paid for and built by the veterans, is also a symbol of how he and others have fought for recognition ever since coming home.

"Matter of fact, I felt ashamed when I came home," Sweeney said. "The Legion didn't want us. Nobody did. They ridiculed us. It wasn't good. That changed today."

Canada had technically considered its role in the Korean conflict, which began in 1950, as a "police action" and not war, meaning those who came back from the UN-led effort were not considered veterans.

But Korean-born Yonah Martin, the B.C. senator who introduced a private member's motion to mark July 27, said the official recognition was long overdue.

"As a country, we definitely owed it to them long before this," Martin said of the veterans. "With the support of the Senate we were able to unanimously adopt this motion. So I am happy for today."

Nearly 27,000 Canadians served in the three-year conflict.