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The United Nation's Civil Assistance Command in Korea's (UNCACK) Public Health Measures on Koje Island during the Korean War

Authors
 Youngsoo Kim 
Citation
 Korean Journal of Medical History (의사학), Vol.32(3) : 931-966, 2023-12 
Journal Title
Korean Journal of Medical History(의사학)
ISSN
 1225-505X 
Issue Date
2023-12
MeSH
Communicable Diseases* ; Humans ; Korea ; Korean War ; Public Health* ; Republic of Korea
Keywords
U.S. laboratory ship ; United Nations Civil Assistance Command in Korea (UNCACK) ; disease control ; infectious disease ; preventive measures ; public health ; Koje (Geoje) Island
Abstract
This study focuses on the health and sanitation projects carried out on Koje Island by the United Nations Civil Assistance Command in Korea (UNCACK). Koje Island was unique as it served as a destination for dispersed refugees and as an area for housing prisoners of war. Unlike in other regions, UNCACK was actively involved in the implementation of health and sanitation projects on Koje Island. Their infectious disease control projects on Koje Island serve as a valuable example for studying infectious disease prevention initiatives and local medical projects in modern and contemporary Korea. In this study, I examine the documents produced by UNCACK to assess the status of infectious disease control and vaccination plans. Additionally, I analyze the disease prevention initiatives implemented among the residents of Koje Island, including isolation, treatment, and improvement of living conditions. Finally, I explore the characteristics of the Koje Island preventive measures and assess the efforts and limitations of both UNCACK and the Korean government in addressing health issues during the Korean War. Despite the presence of refugees and POWs, Koje Island managed to implement systematic public health initiatives in a controlled environment, widely regarded as highly successful. The public health initiatives on Koje Island, led by UNCACK, provided an opportunity to utilize limited resources, manpower, and Korean health professionals, cultivating the skills necessary to manage infectious diseases effectively. Moreover, these initiatives on Koje Island, although modest, continued into the postwar period, influencing medical missionary activities, the demand for health services among residents, the establishment of independent medical institutions, and the implementation of local health projects.
Files in This Item:
T202400611.pdf Download
DOI
10.13081/kjmh.2023.32.931
Appears in Collections:
1. College of Medicine (의과대학) > Dept. of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences (인문사회의학교실) > 1. Journal Papers
Yonsei Authors
Kim, Young Soo(김영수) ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4826-4761
URI
https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/197932
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