Korean War Legacy Project

Paul Olsen

Bio

Paul Olsen went to Korea with the Swedish Red Cross Hospital and worked as the only X-Ray doctor at the hospital. He went to Korea in the fall of 1953 after Armistice and has the unique experience of being able to have his wife come along, who was a nurse. The Swedish Red Cross Hospital treated soldiers in the beginning of his service, but switched to mostly treating civilians of Korea due to the Armistice. Many of the civilians were treated for tuberculosis and worms. Paul Olsen is proud of his service in Korea and has revisited Korea twice.

Video Clips

Korean Medical Experience

Paul Olsen describes the ailments of the civilians the Swedish Red Cross Hospital treated for. Tuberculosis and worms are generally associated with poor and/or crowded living conditions. Paul Olsen was the only X-Ray doctor in the camp and and no other doctor had experience with X-Rays.

Tags: 1953 Armistice 7/27,Busan,Civilians,Living conditions,Poverty,South Koreans

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Photos around the Swedish Red Cross Hospital

Paul Olsen provides pictures of the Swedish Red Cross Hospital. He describes living conditions at the hospital and how free time was limited. He provides a picture around the hospital in Busan. Paul Olsen also provides pictures of the civilians he treated and describes the various ailments.

Tags: 1953 Armistice 7/27,Busan,Civilians,Living conditions,Poverty,Pride,South Koreans

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Life within the Confines of the Hospital

Paul Olsen describes life inside the Swedish Red Cross Hospital. The doctors could not go outside the converted high school. So, various lessons and lectures were provided to the doctors to provide excitement. Paul Olsen describes how his experience was different from other doctors, because his wife was with him.

Tags: 1953 Armistice 7/27,Busan,Civilians,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,South Koreans

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Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UODd6txKeVg&start=794&end=972

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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/paul-olsen#clip-3

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