Italian Medical Unit 6·25 War Participation Monument

During the 6·25 War, Italy was not a member of the UN, but in response to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' appeal for relief assistance, on October 16, 1951, Italy dispatched 67 personnel to Korea, including 6 medical officers, 2 administrative officers, 1 pharmacist, 1 military chaplain, 6 nurses, 6 non-commissioned officers, and 45 enlisted soldiers. They stationed the medical unit at Seoul Ushin Elementary School. The Italian Medical Unit treated not only war casualties but also civilians, providing care to 230,000 people, including soldiers and Korean citizens, until January 30, 1955. They particularly focused on eradicating parasitic infections among civilians. On September 17, 1952, during the Yeongdeungpo train accident, they took swift action to minimize casualties. On June 2, 1989, the Italian Ambassador to South Korea, Graziella Simbolotti, installed a commemorative plaque on the wall of Seoul Ushin Elementary School, the former stationing site, to honor the noble dedication of the Italian Medical Unit. However, when the building was demolished at the end of July 1999, with support from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea, a monument was erected at the current location on August 10, 1999, and relocated there.