The Republic of Korea has donated 40,000 face masks to UK veterans of the Korean War to help protect them from the Covid-19 pandemic

15 May 2020

1. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has provided face masks to British Korean War veterans and their families to support their well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic. The masks have been sent by post this week to veterans and bereaved families across the UK.

2. Masks were also donated to the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, where many veterans live, deepening a friendship between the Republic of Korea and the UK

3. The government of Korea has sent a total of 40,000 face masks to the UK as a symbol of its profound appreciation to the war veterans. This project was proposed by the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee.

4. 2020 marks the 70^th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. The 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee has sent a total of one million protective masks to the 22 nations that sent troops to defend the Republic of Korea during the war.

5. The face masks were sent with the logo of the ‘Stay Strong Campaign’. The Stay Strong campaign, which originated in Korea, promotes a sense of solidarity against coronavirus, and encourages positivity during the time of the crisis. Recently, Her Excellency Ms Enna Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UK, has participated in this campaign, along with Ms Menna Rawlings, Director General Economic & Global issues at Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and His Excellency Mr Martin Uden, former UK Ambassador to Korea and Chairman of British Korean Society.

6. Ambassador Enna Park said: “I hope the face masks from the Republic of Korea will be helpful for our veterans for getting through this difficult time of Covid-19. Providing the masks is a meaningful way to express our gratitude and our respect to the veterans of the Korean War, especially during the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.”

“This is an expression of solidarity from Korea to the UK that we can overcome the COVID-19 crisis together,” Ambassador Park said.

7. Ambassador Park earlier wrote to all Korean War veterans across the UK to express her solidarity with them during this challenging time. She also sent supportive gifts to the Korean War veterans who live in the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London to cheer them up and provide them with hope during the lockdown.

8. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UK has held commemorative events for veterans every year. These include a memorial service in June at St Paul’s Cathedral and a wreath-laying service in July at the Korean War Memorial in London. Although many of the events for veterans have been postponed due to COVID-19, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UK plans to hold a photo exhibition later this year to commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. Their sacrifice and noble contribution have never been forgotten by the people of Korea.

9. During the Korean War, the UK provided 81,084 troops to Korea, which was the second largest number of troops after the United States. British forces played a significant role in protecting the freedom of the Republic of Korea against communism. The Battle of the Imjin River and the Battle of Gapyeong were two of the major battles that the British forces fought during the Korean War.

10. The government of the UK advises the public to “wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces where social distancing is not always possible”.

Contact details:-

Mr Jae Young Yoo/ jyyoo20@mofa.go.kr

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