The Scars of War and Transnational Empathy. Korean War Orphans and Polish Humanitarianism

In the shadow of high politics and armed conflict unfold the lives of children whose world has been shattered. The Scars of War and Transnational Empathy: Korean War Orphans and Polish Humanitarianism is a moving account of Korean war orphans and Polish humanitarian assistance during the Korean War (1950–1953). What does war look like through a child’s eyes? What compels a country thousands of miles away to extend help to the most vulnerable victims of conflict? Drawing on primary sources, Haesung Lee illuminates the youngest survivors’ emotional struggles, traces their adaptation within Polish childcare institutions, and examines the role of empathy in individual lives and in the forging of relations between nations.

This interdisciplinary study — demonstrating how solidarity can transcend the boundaries of states and cultures — brings together historical, sociological, and psychological perspectives. Across five chapters, it discusses, among other themes, theories of trauma and empathy; the political context of the Korean War; the activities of the Polish Red Cross; the process by which children were admitted to Polish institutions; and their subsequent trajectories — extensive bibliography that draws on Polish-, English-, and Korean-language sources.

The book introduces readers to a little-known chapter in the shared  history of Poland and Korea, offering a nuanced portrait of transnational empathy. It constitutes a significant contribution to understanding the consequences of war and the importance of solidarity. It will be of interest to scholars and students across a range of disciplines (history, sociology, psychology, Korean studies), as well as to all readers concerned with war and international relations.