The Danish Hospital Ship “JUTLANDIA”
A Permanent Exhibition by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
During the Korean War(1950-1953), the Danish hospital ship “JUTLANDIA” carried out three expeditions to Korea from 1951 to 1953.
In September of 1950, the Danish government decided to contribute to the UN operations in Korea in the form of humanitarian assistance. The “JUTLANDIA”, a cargo/passenger ship of the EAC(East Asiatic Company) built in 1934, was accommodated with 4 sick bays of 356 beds, 4 operating theatres, a kidney machine, pharmacy, laboratories, x-ray machines and dental clinics. Later on, an ophthalmic clinic was also added. At the time, the “JUTLANDIA” possessed State of the Art equipment and facilities for medical practice.
On January 23, 1951, the “JUTLANDIA” left Copenhagen Harbor bound for Busan. On board were about 100 medical personnel, who were some of the most skilled and experienced Danish physicians and nurses.
Medical staff shifted between expeditions, whereas most of the EAC crew went all through the war. Also, about 100 of the most competent EAC crew also served on board the “JUTLANDIA”.
En route between expeditions, the “JUTLANDIA” also brought some of the convalescents back to their respective countries. During the first and second expedition, the “JUTLANDIA” was stationed off the shore of Busan. Between second and third expedition in the summer of 1952, the “JUTLANDIA” returned to Denmark to be accommodated with a helipad. When the “JUTLANIDA” came back to Korean waters, it was stationed near the 38th parallel, close to the roads of Incheon. At this location, which was close to the battlefields, soldiers with severe casualties were brought to the “JUTLANDIA” by a helicopter, and could thus reach the operating table in about 20 minutes after being injured.
The occupancy rate on board the “JUTLANDIA” was about 20% in quiet periods and up to 95% during heavy fighting. 4,981 wounded soldiers of the UN Forces were treated. The medical staff of the
“JUTLANDIA” also exercised a remarkable humanitarian feat by taking care of over 6,000 Korean civilians according to official statistics.
On October 16, 1953, the “JUTLANDIA” returned to Copenhagen Harbor after its third and final expedition to Korea. The “JUTLANDIA” was re-accommodated to its former purpose and was utilized by the EAC for trade until 1964.
