Since 2001, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) has been providing medical service to Korean War veterans of countries which participated in the Korean War and with a weak health system. The aim of the medical service program is to show appreciation for UN allied nations whose soldiers shed blood in the Korean War to defend the Republic of Korea, as well as to boost exchange and cooperation between the Republic of Korea and allies at the civilian level. The MPVA selects two low-income nations each year among UN allies that participated in the Korean War and provides supports for the Korean Open Doctors Society to buy medical and pharmaceutical supplies for use in the selected nations.