MPVA Did You Know (DYK) Series #9:
DID YOU KNOW that South Korea sent a million masks to its wartime allies during the COVID-19 pandemic?
On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization declared the official end of the COVID-19 global health emergency. As we mark the second anniversary of this milestone, it's worth reflecting on a meaningful gesture made by South Korea during the pandemic's darkest days—when it shipped one million face masks to veterans in 22 United Nations countries that had fought alongside Korea seven decades earlier.
Originally, South Korea had planned to host these veterans at in-person commemorative events marking the Korean War's 70th anniversary in 2020. But as global travel halted and elderly veterans faced heightened health risks, South Korea pivoted to a more personal approach. Rather than bringing veterans to Korea, Korea reached out to them—with life-saving protection when it was most needed.
The masks, accompanied by letters of gratitude and presented in specially designed packaging, were delivered directly to veterans' homes and organizations worldwide. This gesture, though practical, carried profound symbolism: a nation rebuilt from the ashes of war now offering protection to those who had once protected it.
The response resonated globally. Veterans' associations across countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Turkey warmly acknowledged the campaign. Social media platforms filled with unboxing photos, heartfelt videos, and personal stories. World leaders, including King Philippe of Belgium and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, publicly expressed their appreciation. The initiative created connections that transcended both geography and generations.
The campaign, orchestrated by the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee, received the Best Overseas PR Award at the 2020 Korea PR Awards. Yet its significance extended far beyond formal recognition—it became a powerful example of "veterans diplomacy", demonstrating how a thoughtful act of remembrance can simultaneously strengthen international bonds and national identity.
South Korea's mask diplomacy didn't just help protect lives—it preserved a legacy. In doing so, it showed the world that gratitude, when expressed with sincerity, remains meaningful across time.