As a way to honor their service during the Korean war, Navajo Nation receives 10,000 masks from South Korea

In yet another reminder of the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority communities in the US, the per-capita coronavirus infection rate in Navajo Nation surpassed New York and New Jersey. When South Korea came to know of the plight of Navajo Nation, it shipped them 10,000 masks and other PPE to honor the services rendered by them seven decades ago to the East-Asian nation.

During the Korean War, around 800 members of the Navajo Nation used their native language as an unbreakable code for radio messages, ensuring complete secrecy around any military movements by the US, an ally to South Korea.

While this little-known story in the famous ‘police action’ that was the Korean War often goes untold, the South Koreans have never forgotten the Native American contributions.

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in South Korea, around 130 of these “Code Talkers” are still alive today.

“We hope our small gifts will console the veterans in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis,” said committee co-chairman Kim Eun-gi.

Read more here: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/south-korea-sends-navajos-ppe-to-honor-code-talkers-of-korean-war/