Italian Red Cross and the Korean War - In the case of Italian 68 Medical Units Support Activities

Abstract

As a result of the damaging defeat in World War II, Italy suffered from a devastating reality although it was recovering rather quickly with continued support from the U.S.A. since the end of the war. To enable Italy to become a major player on the European stage again, a change in the international perception was required. As part of the plan, the Italian government and the Italian Red Cross dispatched medical aid units to the Korean War, as a non-member country of the United Nations after World War II. This contributed not only to change the perception of Italy but also strengthened relations between the two countries. The medical staff, who was called the 68 Red Cross, provided medical support to the soldiers of the Korean War as well as the civilians, playing a significant role in the train accident on the Guro Gyeongin Line. After the end of the Korean War, 68 medical units remained and continued their services in Seoul for more than a year then returned to Italy in 1955 on completing their duties. The two countries have developed lasting friendly relations since, and it signified greatly during the recent Covid-19 pandemic when the Korean Embassy in Italy provided medical support including face masks to the descendants of Italian medical staff who had participated in the Korean War.