Special Exhibition of Donated Materials at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
Original UP News Flash Bulletin, Passport, Notebook, and Other Personal Belongings on Display
"Fragmentary reports from the 38th Parallel region indicate that North Korea launched a full-scale attack along the 38th Parallel, the border with South Korea, early Sunday morning. (Omitted) Kaesong City, located 40 miles northwest of Seoul and home to the South Korean Army's 1st Division headquarters, has fallen, and enemy troops have been spotted 2 to 3 miles south of Ongjin."
This is the first report on the Korean War sent to the world at 9:50 a.m. on June 25, 1950, by Jack James, a UP correspondent embedded with the military. He provided detailed coverage of the North Korean army's surprise invasion, the background of the establishment of the 38th Parallel, and the South Korean National Assembly's request for the stationing of US troops.
"In the United States, General Omar Bradley stated that only 200 to 300 US troops are currently stationed in South Korea. He declined to comment on whether the United States was obligated to defend the South Korean government in the event of a North Korean attack."
An exhibition is being held to shed light on the footsteps of Jack James, who risked his life to report from the front lines. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is hosting a special exhibition of donated materials, "Korean War Correspondent Jack James," in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, running until the 20th of next month. The exhibition features the original UP News flash bulletin containing his first report, as well as his actual passport, notebook, article drafts, photographs, jacket, and other personal belongings. Also on display are the medal and certificate for the "National Headliner Award," which he received in 1951.
The exhibition was made possible by the persistent persuasion of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation's US office, which led his son, David David, to decide to donate the materials. Kim Jeonghee, chairperson of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, said, "There are many artifacts related to Korea's modern and contemporary history, and I wanted to introduce them in Korea."
His memoirs about the Korean War are a representative example. Written by James based on his reporting and experiences during the war, the memoirs vividly describe encounters with refugees, as well as Korea's economic and social changes. In his reporting notebook from the Korean War, one can find contact information and personal details of people he met at the time, while in the harmonica ensemble photographs, there are scenes of Republic of Korea Navy soldiers playing guitar.
The mimeographed news bulletins are also not to be missed. One bulletin details how James was injured in the foot by North Korean and Russian aircraft fire in Suwon on July 2, 1950. Recognized for his courage in risking his life to enter the battlefield, he was awarded the Purple Heart on March 15 of the following year.
Han Soo, director of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, said, "Through Jack James, who was active across the front lines, we hope to remember the historical significance of the Korean War and to reflect on the value of solidarity between Korea, the United States, and the world."
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