At a glance: Korea, Republic of

UNICEF in the Republic of Korea

© UNICEF Korea

Goodwill Ambassador and actor Ahn Sung-ki stands amid children during KCU’s field trip to the slum areas in the Philippines Quezon City in April, 2002.

Transforming from a recipient country to a donor country, the Korean Committee for UNICEF (KCU) was launched in January 1994.

When the Korean War broke out in 1950, UNICEF started an emergency relief programme for Korean children and women, which later became a full-scale programme of cooperation carried out with the government of the Republic of Korea for 43 years. When the economy improved and the basic social services of Korea developed, the National Committee for UNICEF was set up.

The Korean Committee’s major roles are to generate funds for UNICEF programmes,  promote the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and mobilize interest in the state of the world’s children. KCU raises funds through direct mail, UNICEF greeting cards and products sales, the “Change for Good” coin-collection programme, school fundraising, corporate alliances, city partnerships and special events.

Once a year, the Korean Committee organises a “Barefoot Walkathon”. The participants, most of them school children, make a donation and walk 3.5 km through the Nam Mountain in the heart of Seoul. Many participants walk the first 300 metres barefoot, in solidarity with children in less fortunate environments. Gathering an average of 3,000 participants every year, each walkathon is launched with a special performance attracting media attention.

Since its inception in 1994, the Korean Committee also organises the annual “Year-end dinner show”, now the leading benefit gala in Korea.

Members from diverse professions and numerous volunteers help UNICEF through KCUs “support clubs”. Goodwill Ambassadors and Special Representatives like the respected actors Ahn Sung-ki and Won Bin play a key role in supporting KCU by participating in field trips, major events and campaigns.