Page 22 - 2018 Defense White Paper

Special Appendix 4
Inclusion of Germany to the List of

Medical Support States in the Korean War

1. Overview

In June 2018, based on research findings and opinions regarding the history and achievement of the
German (West German at the time) Medical Support Group dispatched to Korea during the Korean War, the
Ministry of National Defense decided to include Germany to the list of Medical Support States in the Korean
War.

Medical Support States in the Korean War (5 ª 6 Countries)

Participants

Norway Denmark Sweden Italy India Germany
No. of
man-days 623 630 1,124 128 627 117(medical doctors)

Red cross Red cross Field Red cross
Contribution Mobile surgeon Hospital ship
hospital hospital hospital hospital

2. Background

The ROK government has continued to highly appreciate and respect Germany’s medical support to the
Korean War. During the visit to Germany in July 2017, President Moon Jae-in met members of the Medical
Service Group to award presidential citations and extend his gratitude for their activities during the war. The
Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs invited the members of the team, their families, and descendants to
“Turn toward Busan”, an international ceremony held in November 2017 to commemorate UN veterans who
fought in the war.
However, Germany was not included in the list of Medical Support States during the Korean War. Even

324 Appendix