(Illustration by Hyemin Lee/Stripes Korea)
During the Korean War, more than 100,000 children were orphaned. UN forces from 16 combat nations including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Turkey, Australia, the Philippines and Greece weren’t only fighting battles but also became heroes to these children. One example was the “Kiddy Car Airlift” in December of 1950 when U.S. troops evacuated nearly 1,000 orphans from Seoul to Jeju as enemy forces advanced. Many UN troops also helped establish and support orphanages around the Peninsula by donating their own rations, clothing and even their pay for the cause. Their courage and compassion saved countless young lives and left a legacy still remembered by many Koreans today.
(Illustration by Stripes Korea)
