Life of Korean War refugees
Look into the Korean War through a couple of important national archives and records
Soldiers Aiming (1950) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 and ended unofficially on July 27, 1953, having lasted 3 years, 1 month and 2 days. The war devastated 80% of the landmass of the Korean Peninsula, from the Nakdonggang River down in the south to the Yalu River up in the north.
Refugees Heading South (Street) (1950) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
It was not only domestic warfare on the Korean Peninsula but also international warfare involving over 20 countries, and footage of the war including the life of refugees remains vivid in the national records.
Refugees Heading South (Bridge) (1950) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
Life of Korean War refugees
Official gazettes detailing government plans to disperse and help refugees during the Korean War, as well as rough maps of evacuation routes and reports from the Prime Minister, give a glimpse into the lives of refugees at the time.
The Korean War resulted in a multitude of refugees. The following video footage of Korean War refugees shows the Hungnam evacuation, refugees dangerously hanging from the Daedonggang River railway bridge that was destroyed by bombing in 1950, civilians crossing Mapogang River in Seoul during the January 4th Retreat in 1951, processions of refugees around Seoul Bridge (currently Mapo Bridge) and Yeongdeungpo Station, as well as scenes from Busan (Gwangbokdong), the provisional capital in 1951, students gathered in tent schools and shacks, and even Ewha Womans University.
A Glimpse into Korean War Refugees (1977) by National Film WorksNational Archives of Korea
Note on Dispersal of Refugees 1 (1950) by Ministry of Government AdministrationNational Archives of Korea
Official Gazette No. 384
In July 1950, a majority of refugees headed south to Daejeon City, which quickly reached saturation. Consequently, the South Korean government issued orders to scatter evacuees across Chungcheongdo, Jeollado and Gyeongsangdo Provinces in a note published in 'Official Gazette No. 384.'
The order was given on July 20 by the Ministry of Society/Agriculture and Forestry/Interior/Welfare to the governors of Chungcheongnamdo, Chungcheongbukdo, Jeollanamdo, Jeollabukdo, Gyeongsangnamdo and Gyeongsangbukdo Provinces.
It describes overall matters related to evacuation camps including evacuee accommodation, certificate issuance, guiding and feeding evacuees, etc. as well as the respective roles and responsibilities of each ministry in guiding evacuees from Daejeon to other destinations, transportation of refugees and patient treatment, to provide guidance to each provincial authorities for their evacuee dispersion planning.
During the war, the South Korean government issued certificates for evacuees, which state the date & place of issuance, as well as the legal domicile, displacement area, name, gender, age and occupation of the evacuee.
Note on Dispersal of Refugees 2 (1950) by Ministry of Government AdministrationNational Archives of Korea
The evacuee certificate also states that evacuees should follow instructions from the military, police and the Ministry of Society. Those holding evacuee certificates during wartime were accommodated in refugee camps under the relief authorities' instructions and were guided to their respective destinations according to the evacuee dispersion plan - they were restricted from travelling elsewhere.
The Evacuation Route Map (1950) by Office of the Prime MinisterNational Archives of Korea
The evacuation route map
The evacuation route map attached to the 'evacuation and relief guidelines', which was reported to the Prime Minister by the Minister of Society on December 15, 1950, offer clues to the logistics and movement of Korean War refugees.
The legend, from left to right, shows the following:
① Name of the location: the name of the location where evacuees will be accommodated
② Major streams/rivers
③ Province-level classification (categorization of administrative districts)
④ Major mountains
⑤ Railways
⑥ National highways
⑦ Evacuation routes
At the time, the government categorized evacuation pathways into courses 1, 2 and 3 to ensure evacuees followed the predefined path towards the evacuation camps of each province.
Course 1 passes Susaek, Sosa, Shincheolli, Banweolli, Balanjang (currently Hwasung, Gyeonggi Province), Pyeongtaek, Dunpo (currently Asan)…
...and splits into two paths starting from Gongju and Yesan and heading to Namwon and Iri, respectively.
General Report on Relief Plan for Korean War Victims and Refugees General Report on Relief Plan for Korean War Victims and Refugees (1950) by Office of the Prime MinisterNational Archives of Korea
Report on Relief Plan for Korean War Victims and Refugees
The United Nations established the United Narions Civil Assistance Corps Korea as a part of the U.S VIII Corps and cooperated with the South Korean government in various relief projects.The Ministry of Social Affairs' report to the Prime Minister, “General Report on Relief Plan for Korean War Victims and Refugees” (December 14, 1950) shows the relief plan in detail. The Central Relief Committee for Korean War Victims and Refugees was formed and discussed relief issues every Wednesday. Each region had its own Relief Committee, which helped with the distribution of relief goods.
Table of Port Entry of UN Relief Goods in Korea (1950) by Office of the Prime MinisterNational Archives of Korea
Charts on UN relief goods that arrived at Korean ports on December 14, 1950 show the list of relief goods that were initially supplied to evacuees.
Charts on UN relief goods that arrived at Korean ports on December 14, 1950 show the list of relief goods that were initially supplied to evacuees. The list includes essential daily supplies, including tents, blankets (incl. bedding), underwear, socks, powdered milk, grains, and salt. The relief goods sent to Korea at this time were mostly consumer goods; capital goods that were required to restore production facilities and rebuild the economy were hardly ever provided.
Find out more of the national archives about the eruption and progress of the Korean War here. Explore national archives related to the Korean armistice agreement here.
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