Korean War Legacy Project

Karl Hauser

Bio

Born in Germany in 1930, Karl Hauser grew up and joined the Red Cross in 1954. As a an electrician, he was sought out for his experiences and knowledge, and agreed because he was young and single. He didn’t receive much basic training before arriving in the Korea and he was shocked upon his arrival. His responsibility there was to produce electricity from 1954 through 1959. While there, he remembers seeing those afflicted with leprosy who needed medication. However, he has positive memories too, including having their own private beach. Karl Hauser revisited Korea in 2017 and was impressed by modern Seoul. Because of his contributions at the hospital, many lives were saved.

Video Clips

Why I Joined

When asked if he ever imagined going to a country he had never heard of, Karl Hauser explains why he joined the Red Cross after his friend told him about the opportunity. He wasn’t afraid because the war was over and other people were joining.

Tags: Pride,Prior knowledge of Korea

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Germans Can Fix Anything

Karl Hauser describes his first impressions of Korea. He remembers it being very open with destroyed buildings. His team originally stayed in small dwellings, but then moved into an empty school. He remembers that the Koreans thought the Germans were “number one” and able to fix anything.

Tags: Impressions of Korea,Pride

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATEYnvXJ3Ow&start=853&end=1047

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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/karl-hauser#clip-2

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Moments in Korea

Karl Hauser describes his least and most favorite parts about his time in Korea. He remembers how difficult it was to see those afflicted with leprosy and had to be isolated. However, a positive memory was that of Karl Hauser describes his least and most favorite parts about his time in Korea. He remembers how difficult it was to see those afflicted with leprosy and had to be isolated.

Tags: Impressions of Korea,Pride

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Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATEYnvXJ3Ow&start=2229&end=2437

Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/karl-hauser#clip-3

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