Ethiopia and the Korean War

When I was at the Korean hospital the other day, I read on the wall that they provide free healthcare to all Korean War veterans. I was intrigued to learn that Ethiopians took part in the Korean war and so I did a little digging. Here’s what I learned.

Ethiopia was one of the 16 countries that contributed combat troops to the United Nations Command during the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953.

In 1951, Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia decided to send his best troops, known as the Kagnew Battalion, to support South Korea against the communist forces of North Korea and China. This decision was part of Ethiopia’s commitment to the United Nations and its principles of collective security.¹ The Kagnew Battalion was formed almost entirely from the elite Imperial Bodyguard, or Kebur Sabagna, known for their discipline and combat skills.

The first Kagnew Battalion arrived in Korea in May 1951. Over the course of the war, three successive battalions were deployed, each serving for about a year before being rotated out. In total, around 6,037 Ethiopian soldiers served in Korea.² They also stayed for many years after the war in a peacekeeping capacity.

The Kagnew Battalion was involved in numerous combat operations and earned a reputation for bravery and effectiveness. They participated in 253 battles, including some of the most intense and critical engagements of the war.³ One of the most notable battles involving the Kagnew Battalion was the Battle of Pork Chop Hill in 1953. This battle was part of a series of engagements over strategically important hilltops, one of which looked like a Pork Chop, hence the name. The Ethiopian troops demonstrated exceptional courage and resilience, holding their positions against overwhelming odds. ⁴

The Ethiopian soldiers paid a high price for their participation in the Korean War. More than 120 Ethiopian soldiers were killed, and over 500 were wounded.⁵ They received numerous commendations and awards for their bravery and effectiveness in combat. The returning soldiers were celebrated as heroes and their experiences contributed to the professionalisation of the Ethiopian military.

In South Korea, the Ethiopian contribution is remembered with great respect and gratitude. South Korea has provided development assistance to Ethiopia, and there are several monuments and memorials in South Korea honouring the Kagnew Battalion⁶ and if you’re based in Addis, you can visit the Korean Monument, which is a memorial to the fallen troops, here.