The U.S. and UN Aid and Medical Support
Learn about the assistance provided to the Republic of Korea during and after the Korean War through the National Archives
UN Relief Supply Reception 1 (1951) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
During the Korean war, the United Nations carried out various reconstruction projects and provided emergency relief to South Korea.
UN Relief Supply Reception 2 (1951) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
Most of the funding for South Korean relief efforts came from the U.S. Army budget.
Smallpox Vaccine Inspection by UNCACK Medical Staff (1950) by UNNational Archives of Korea
The UN provided food aid, disease control measures, and vaccinations as well as establishing hospitals and orphanages.
Arrival of Emergency Relief Supplies at Busan Port (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
By 1953, over 30% of the country’s food supply came from aid-provided grain.
Foreign Minister Byeon Yeong-Tae Attending Busan Relief Supplies Reception (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
From 1945 to 1976, South Korea received approximately $13 billion in aid from the international community, laying a crucial foundation for its industrialization efforts.
Seoul Citizens’s Reception of Relief Supplies from President Eisenhower (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
This relief supplies ceremony was held on July 30, 1953, shortly after the armistice, in front of Seoul City Hall.
Gifts from President Eisenhower (1953) by National Film WorksNational Archives of Korea
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent supplies, including military rations, along with a message of encouragement to the people of South Korea.
Korea News, Issue 33 (1954) by National Film WorksNational Archives of Korea
On December 23, 1953, another ceremony was held in front of Seoul City Hall to celebrate the arrival of relief supplies from the United States.
Reconstruction Relief Supplies for South Koreans (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The main relief items delivered on this day included lumber, oil, and cement. A banner on the truck indicated that these were supplies to help rebuild South Korea.
President Rhee Attending Hangang Railway Bridge Reopening Ceremony (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
Through U.S. and UN aid, South Korea was able to begin its reconstruction.
Orphaned Children at an Orphanage (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
This photograph shows children at an orphanage. The Korean War left behind approximately 100,000 orphans.
Second Lady Pat Nixon Visits an Orphanage (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The operating costs of orphan care facilities were mostly covered by U.S. aid.
National Orphan Sports Day (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
On August 13, 1953, National Orphan Sports Day was celebrated. Echoing the slogan about change displayed here, these children would grow from war orphans into the leaders of the Republic of Korea.
Learn about the involvement of the United Nations command in the Korean War. Continue to explore the story about the ROK-U.S. mutual defense treaty and its contribution to the modernization of the Korean military.
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