The medal was established by letters patent by Queen Elizabeth II on 24 November 2009[1] and further determination approved by the Governor General on 12 March 2010.

[2] The AGSMK was announced on 12 February 2010 by the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, following the recommendations of the 2005 Post-Armistice Korean Service Review.

The obverse has a central design of a relief map of South Korea superimposed over polar projection lines representing the United Nations and surrounded by the words Australian General Service Medal Korea.

Centred on the reverse are the words Post Armistice Service 1953–1956 surrounded by Australian gum leaves and blossoms with two Federation Stars included in the bottom left and right hand quadrants.

The medal has an antique silver finish with a raised polished outer edge.