{"content_id":"5yp36inxqk","slug":"hungnam-evacuation-1950-refugee-sea-transport","locale":"en","schema_type":"Article","category":"case_study","category_name":"Case Study","title":"Hungnam Evacuation 1950: Refugee Transport by Sea","summary":"The Hungnam Evacuation was an operation in December 1950 that combined the withdrawal of military personnel and supplies with the evacuation of civilians by sea. Accurately understanding its scale and significance requires examining how space was secured for refugees and distinguishing between figures reported by different sources.","sponsorship_disclosure":null,"affiliate_disclosure":null,"commerce_disclosure":null,"author":{"name":"Injoys Editorial Team","url":"https://injoys.com/ko/about"},"key_points":["The Hungnam Evacuation was a seaborne withdrawal centered on Hungnam Port after intervention by Chinese forces turned the tide of the war.","The withdrawal, initially focused on military personnel and supplies, expanded to include civilian transport as space aboard ships was secured for refugees.","An archival description from the National Archives of Korea gives the operation's dates as December 12 to 24, 1950.","A special exhibition by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs gives the number of refugees as about 91,000 or 98,000.","The transport of about 14,000 people aboard SS Meredith Victory was one part of the overall Hungnam Evacuation."],"content_markdown":"The Hungnam Evacuation was an operation carried out by South Korean and United Nations forces at Hungnam Port in December 1950. Refugees whose land routes were blocked also evacuated south in space secured aboard military transport ships. It is remembered as an event that combined military withdrawal with civilian relief.\n\nThis article follows records from the National Archives of Korea and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, checked in November 2026.\n\n## Background to the Gathering at Hungnam Port\n\nAs Chinese intervention changed the course of the war, Hungnam Port became an evacuation base. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs describes large-scale Chinese intervention beginning in late October 1950. Units under the U.S. X Corps that had fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir also withdrew to Hungnam.\n\nThe key constraint was the blocked land route south. The ministry's special exhibition identifies the Chinese blockade of Wonsan as the reason. Evacuation by sea and air therefore became alternatives. Refugees also followed the troops toward the port.\n\nRefugees had reasons to flee beyond avoiding combat. Military historian Charles H. Briscoe explains the risks faced by residents who had cooperated with UN forces. Residents who had performed administrative work or labor feared the return of the previous authorities. This cannot be generalized as a motive shared by all refugees.\n\n## Main Timeline of the Hungnam Evacuation\n\nFollowing the reversal in the course of the war and the gathering at the port, the Hungnam Evacuation ended on December 24, 1950. However, sources give different starting dates for the operation. The following timeline shows the sequence of events alongside the descriptions in each record.\n\n| Period | Event or description in the record | Source |\n|---|---|---|\n| From late October 1950 | Large-scale Chinese intervention reverses the course of the war | Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition |\n| Late November 1950 | Chinese attacks increase the need for UN forces to withdraw | Briscoe's study of the refugee evacuation |\n| December 12 to 24, 1950 | Hungnam Evacuation period given by the National Archives of Korea | Detailed description of record CEQ0001648 |\n| December 15 to 24, 1950 | Hungnam Evacuation period given by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs | Special exhibition, “The Miracle of Christmas” |\n| December 24, 1950 | Final troops withdraw and port facilities are destroyed | U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, H-056-1 |\n\n## The Turning Point That Expanded the Operation to Civilian Transport\n\nThe turning point was securing space for refugees aboard ships evacuating the military. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs describes the persuasion efforts of Kim Baek-il, commander of ROK I Corps, and others. Initially, the focus was on evacuating troops and supplies. According to this account, space for civilian transport was made available afterward.\n\nBriscoe's study also discusses the roles of Hyun Bong-hak and Edward H. Forney. They supported the decision by U.S. X Corps commander Edward M. Almond to transport refugees. Getting people aboard required both command decisions and ship assignments. It is difficult to explain the entire process through a single remark by a particular person.\n\nThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs states that some explosives and equipment were discarded to make room. This does not mean the operation abandoned all military supplies. The same exhibition separately presents figures for the evacuation of troops, vehicles, and supplies. (Verified figures: approximately 105,000 troops · approximately 17,500 vehicles · approximately 350,000 tons of supplies, December 1950 · Source: unarchives.mpva.go.kr · Checked 2026-11-10) [Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition, “The Miracle of Christmas”](https://unarchives.mpva.go.kr/contents/xmas)\n\n## Dockside Work That Put the Embarkation Decision into Practice\n\nTransporting civilians required not just empty space but also the work of moving people to the ships. Briscoe's study describes dock operations and civilian assistance in detail. Refugees also helped with the evacuation by taking part in cargo handling.\n\n- Other ships were moored alongside ships docked at the pier.\n- Passageways were built between ships so cargo could also be loaded onto the outer ships.\n- Refugees were organized into groups and moved to waiting areas and boarding points.\n- Civilian assistance personnel distributed food and water.\n- Refugee workers unloaded cargo from vehicles and helped load it onto ships.\n\nIn this process, refugees appear as more than people waiting to be rescued. Some also took part in port work. Looking at both the securing of ships and the labor on the ground reveals the conditions that made transport possible. [Briscoe, “The Refugee Evacuation from Hungnam”](https://arsof-history.org/articles/v7n1_hungnam_page_1.html)\n\n## The Difference Between One Ship's Transport and the Overall Operation\n\nSS Meredith Victory (the Meredith Victory) was one of the ships that took part in the overall operation. The U.S. Maritime Administration describes it as a cargo ship assigned to transport military supplies. Its captain at the time was Leonard LaRue.\n\nThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition states that this ship transported approximately 14,000 refugees. The U.S. Maritime Administration states that it carried more than 14,000 civilians. These figures describe the number transported by one ship.\n\n| Category | Overall Hungnam Evacuation | Transport aboard SS Meredith Victory |\n|---|---|---|\n| Scope | An evacuation operation involving multiple ships | Refugee transport by one participating ship |\n| Those or items transported | Military personnel, supplies, and refugees | Refugees who boarded that ship |\n| Interpreting the numbers | Overall totals must be checked against each source | An individual case described as involving approximately 14,000 people |\n| Significance of the record | A combination of military withdrawal and civilian evacuation | A case in which a cargo ship was used to transport large numbers of refugees |\n\nThe U.S. Maritime Administration records that 5 babies were born during the voyage. It also states that no one died during the ship's voyage. These ship-specific outcomes should not be extended to the entire operation. [U.S. Maritime Administration, “SS MEREDITH VICTORY”](https://www.maritime.dot.gov/history/gallant-ship-award/ss-meredith-victory)\n\n## Results and Remaining Limitations of the Evacuation\n\nMilitarily, the operation moved troops and equipment south. The National Archives of Korea's detailed description records the evacuation of 105,000 ground troops. It lists 17,500 vehicles. It states that military supplies amounted to 350,000 tons.\n\nFor civilians, a route to safety in the south was opened. However, not everyone who gathered at the port boarded a ship. The U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command's H-056-1 also describes refugees who were left behind. Both the transport achievements and the limits of the rescue's reach must be recorded.\n\nThe last troops withdrew on December 24, 1950. Port facilities and remaining supplies were then destroyed. The end of the military operation to leave the port was separate from the stabilization of refugees' lives. [U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, “H-056-1”](https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-056/h-056-1.html)\n\n## Records and Interpretation\n\nWhen citing records, dates and personnel figures should be attributed to their sources. Even official institutions give different figures. Averaging them or replacing them with a single definitive figure erases those differences.\n\n### Dates and Numbers in the Records\n\nThe National Archives of Korea and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs give different operation periods and refugee totals. Even within the ministry's same exhibition, two figures appear together. Each must be read with its stated conditions intact.\n\n| Source | Operation period | Number of refugees | Conditions to check alongside the figure |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| National Archives of Korea, detailed description of CEQ0001648 | December 12 to 24, 1950 | Over 100,000 | Figure given in the record's detailed description |\n| Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition | December 15 to 24, 1950 | Approximately 91,000 or 98,000 | The evacuation results section explicitly states that infants and others are excluded |\n| U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, H-056-1 | States that the operation ended on December 24, 1950 | 91,000 | Described as refugees evacuated from Hungnam by ship |\n\nThe National Archives of Korea's CEQ0001648 is an audiovisual record created by Army Headquarters under the Ministry of National Defense. Its detail page lists the year of creation as 1950. However, the catalog description should not be treated as identical to the content of the original footage. The relevant figures in this article were checked against the description on the detail page. [National Archives of Korea, CEQ0001648 details](https://archives.go.kr/next/newsearch/showDetailPopup.do?rc_code=1310377\u0026rc_rfile_no=200200097143\u0026rc_ritem_no=000000000001\u0026sitePage=1-2-1)\n\n### Points Commonly Explained in Military History Studies\n\nMilitary history accounts discuss both the preservation of military strength and civilian evacuation. The U.S. Army's “Dunkirk of Korea” distinguishes the achievement of carrying out an evacuation during a retreat. Briscoe's study examines civilian assistance and the role of transport organization in detail. Neither account treats victory in the war as a whole as equivalent to the achievements of the evacuation operation. [U.S. Army, “Dunkirk of Korea”](https://www.army.mil/article/14608/dunkirk_of_korea)\n\n### Areas Where Differences Remain\n\nThe two Korean pages do not establish the exact reasons for the differences in starting dates and numbers. Whether preparatory stages were included requires further checking. The ports covered by the counts and whether infants were included must also be compared. The numerical differences alone provide insufficient grounds to call this a debate among historians.\n\nThe relative weight given to each person's contribution also varies with the purpose of the source. Commemorative exhibitions emphasize persuasion and the significance of rescue. Military history studies explain orders, ship assignments, and cargo-handling organization in greater detail. Unverified conversations about boarding should not be used to fill these gaps.\n\n## Its Significance in Remembrance Today\n\nThe Hungnam Evacuation is a historical example of military operations and civilian evacuation being intertwined. Victory or defeat in battle alone cannot adequately explain the results of refugee transport. Conversely, a rescue story alone leaves out the military background to the evacuation.\n\nThe following distinctions are useful when studying the event today.\n\n- Separate the scale of the overall operation from the number of people aboard individual ships.\n- Consider command decisions alongside the port work that put them into practice.\n- Record both the number of people evacuated and the existence of those who could not board.\n- Distinguish the nature of original records, catalog descriptions, and later studies.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### When did the Hungnam Evacuation take place?\n\nIt took place in December 1950. The National Archives of Korea gives the dates as December 12 to 24. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition gives December 15 to 24.\n\n### Exactly how many refugees were evacuated?\n\nIt is difficult to establish one exact figure from the records checked. The National Archives of Korea states that there were over 100,000. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs gives approximately 91,000 or 98,000, excluding infants and others.\n\n### Was refugee transport central to the operation from the beginning?\n\nThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs explains that the initial focus was on evacuating military personnel and supplies. Refugee transport later expanded through persuasion and the securing of space. Civilian evacuation was carried out alongside the military withdrawal.\n\n### Did the Meredith Victory transport all the refugees?\n\nSS Meredith Victory was one of the ships that took part in the overall operation. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs states that it transported approximately 14,000 people. Other ships also carried groups of refugees.\n\n### Were the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and the Hungnam Evacuation the same event?\n\nThe two events were connected but were not the same. Units that fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir withdrew to Hungnam. The Hungnam Evacuation was the subsequent evacuation operation centered on the port.\n\n### Did all the refugees who gathered at Hungnam Port board ships?\n\nNot all refugees boarded. The U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command also describes refugees who were left behind. The total number transported should therefore not be read as the total number who gathered at the port.\n\n### Why is it called the Miracle of Christmas?\n\nThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs uses this name in connection with the significance of the large-scale rescue of civilians. It is a commemorative expression. It is not a statistical term meaning that all refugees were rescued.\n\n### Where can the original records and explanations be found?\n\nDetails for reference number CEQ0001648 are available from the National Archives of Korea. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' UN Veterans Digital Archive has a special exhibition. Catalog descriptions and later exhibition explanations should be read with the nature of each source in mind.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThe Hungnam Evacuation was an operation carried out by South Korean and United Nations forces at Hungnam Port in December 1950. Refugees whose land routes were blocked also evacuated south in space secured aboard military transport ships. It is remembered as an event that combined military withdrawal with civilian relief.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis article follows records from the National Archives of Korea and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, checked in November 2026.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#background-to-the-gathering-at-hungnam-port\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"background-to-the-gathering-at-hungnam-port\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eBackground to the Gathering at Hungnam Port\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Chinese intervention changed the course of the war, Hungnam Port became an evacuation base. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs describes large-scale Chinese intervention beginning in late October 1950. Units under the U.S. X Corps that had fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir also withdrew to Hungnam.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key constraint was the blocked land route south. The ministry's special exhibition identifies the Chinese blockade of Wonsan as the reason. Evacuation by sea and air therefore became alternatives. Refugees also followed the troops toward the port.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRefugees had reasons to flee beyond avoiding combat. Military historian Charles H. Briscoe explains the risks faced by residents who had cooperated with UN forces. Residents who had performed administrative work or labor feared the return of the previous authorities. This cannot be generalized as a motive shared by all refugees.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#main-timeline-of-the-hungnam-evacuation\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"main-timeline-of-the-hungnam-evacuation\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eMain Timeline of the Hungnam Evacuation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the reversal in the course of the war and the gathering at the port, the Hungnam Evacuation ended on December 24, 1950. However, sources give different starting dates for the operation. The following timeline shows the sequence of events alongside the descriptions in each record.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePeriod\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEvent or description in the record\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSource\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Period\"\u003eFrom late October 1950\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event or description in the record\"\u003eLarge-scale Chinese intervention reverses the course of the war\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eMinistry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Period\"\u003eLate November 1950\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event or description in the record\"\u003eChinese attacks increase the need for UN forces to withdraw\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eBriscoe's study of the refugee evacuation\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Period\"\u003eDecember 12 to 24, 1950\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event or description in the record\"\u003eHungnam Evacuation period given by the National Archives of Korea\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eDetailed description of record CEQ0001648\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Period\"\u003eDecember 15 to 24, 1950\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event or description in the record\"\u003eHungnam Evacuation period given by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eSpecial exhibition, “The Miracle of Christmas”\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Period\"\u003eDecember 24, 1950\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event or description in the record\"\u003eFinal troops withdraw and port facilities are destroyed\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eU.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, H-056-1\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#the-turning-point-that-expanded-the-operation-to-civilian-transport\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"the-turning-point-that-expanded-the-operation-to-civilian-transport\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe Turning Point That Expanded the Operation to Civilian Transport\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe turning point was securing space for refugees aboard ships evacuating the military. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs describes the persuasion efforts of Kim Baek-il, commander of ROK I Corps, and others. Initially, the focus was on evacuating troops and supplies. According to this account, space for civilian transport was made available afterward.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBriscoe's study also discusses the roles of Hyun Bong-hak and Edward H. Forney. They supported the decision by U.S. X Corps commander Edward M. Almond to transport refugees. Getting people aboard required both command decisions and ship assignments. It is difficult to explain the entire process through a single remark by a particular person.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs states that some explosives and equipment were discarded to make room. This does not mean the operation abandoned all military supplies. The same exhibition separately presents figures for the evacuation of troops, vehicles, and supplies. (Verified figures: approximately 105,000 troops · approximately 17,500 vehicles · approximately 350,000 tons of supplies, December 1950 · Source: unarchives.mpva.go.kr · Checked 2026-11-10) \u003ca href=\"https://unarchives.mpva.go.kr/contents/xmas\"\u003eMinistry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition, “The Miracle of Christmas”\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#dockside-work-that-put-the-embarkation-decision-into-practice\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"dockside-work-that-put-the-embarkation-decision-into-practice\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eDockside Work That Put the Embarkation Decision into Practice\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransporting civilians required not just empty space but also the work of moving people to the ships. Briscoe's study describes dock operations and civilian assistance in detail. Refugees also helped with the evacuation by taking part in cargo handling.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther ships were moored alongside ships docked at the pier.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePassageways were built between ships so cargo could also be loaded onto the outer ships.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRefugees were organized into groups and moved to waiting areas and boarding points.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCivilian assistance personnel distributed food and water.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRefugee workers unloaded cargo from vehicles and helped load it onto ships.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this process, refugees appear as more than people waiting to be rescued. Some also took part in port work. Looking at both the securing of ships and the labor on the ground reveals the conditions that made transport possible. \u003ca href=\"https://arsof-history.org/articles/v7n1_hungnam_page_1.html\"\u003eBriscoe, “The Refugee Evacuation from Hungnam”\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#the-difference-between-one-ships-transport-and-the-overall-operation\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"the-difference-between-one-ships-transport-and-the-overall-operation\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe Difference Between One Ship's Transport and the Overall Operation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSS Meredith Victory (the Meredith Victory) was one of the ships that took part in the overall operation. The U.S. Maritime Administration describes it as a cargo ship assigned to transport military supplies. Its captain at the time was Leonard LaRue.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition states that this ship transported approximately 14,000 refugees. The U.S. Maritime Administration states that it carried more than 14,000 civilians. These figures describe the number transported by one ship.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCategory\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOverall Hungnam Evacuation\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTransport aboard SS Meredith Victory\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eScope\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Overall Hungnam Evacuation\"\u003eAn evacuation operation involving multiple ships\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Transport aboard SS Meredith Victory\"\u003eRefugee transport by one participating ship\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eThose or items transported\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Overall Hungnam Evacuation\"\u003eMilitary personnel, supplies, and refugees\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Transport aboard SS Meredith Victory\"\u003eRefugees who boarded that ship\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eInterpreting the numbers\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Overall Hungnam Evacuation\"\u003eOverall totals must be checked against each source\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Transport aboard SS Meredith Victory\"\u003eAn individual case described as involving approximately 14,000 people\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eSignificance of the record\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Overall Hungnam Evacuation\"\u003eA combination of military withdrawal and civilian evacuation\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Transport aboard SS Meredith Victory\"\u003eA case in which a cargo ship was used to transport large numbers of refugees\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe U.S. Maritime Administration records that 5 babies were born during the voyage. It also states that no one died during the ship's voyage. These ship-specific outcomes should not be extended to the entire operation. \u003ca href=\"https://www.maritime.dot.gov/history/gallant-ship-award/ss-meredith-victory\"\u003eU.S. Maritime Administration, “SS MEREDITH VICTORY”\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#results-and-remaining-limitations-of-the-evacuation\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"results-and-remaining-limitations-of-the-evacuation\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eResults and Remaining Limitations of the Evacuation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilitarily, the operation moved troops and equipment south. The National Archives of Korea's detailed description records the evacuation of 105,000 ground troops. It lists 17,500 vehicles. It states that military supplies amounted to 350,000 tons.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor civilians, a route to safety in the south was opened. However, not everyone who gathered at the port boarded a ship. The U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command's H-056-1 also describes refugees who were left behind. Both the transport achievements and the limits of the rescue's reach must be recorded.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe last troops withdrew on December 24, 1950. Port facilities and remaining supplies were then destroyed. The end of the military operation to leave the port was separate from the stabilization of refugees' lives. \u003ca href=\"https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-056/h-056-1.html\"\u003eU.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, “H-056-1”\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#records-and-interpretation\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"records-and-interpretation\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eRecords and Interpretation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen citing records, dates and personnel figures should be attributed to their sources. Even official institutions give different figures. Averaging them or replacing them with a single definitive figure erases those differences.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#dates-and-numbers-in-the-records\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"dates-and-numbers-in-the-records\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eDates and Numbers in the Records\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe National Archives of Korea and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs give different operation periods and refugee totals. Even within the ministry's same exhibition, two figures appear together. Each must be read with its stated conditions intact.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSource\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOperation period\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNumber of refugees\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eConditions to check alongside the figure\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eNational Archives of Korea, detailed description of CEQ0001648\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Operation period\"\u003eDecember 12 to 24, 1950\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Number of refugees\"\u003eOver 100,000\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Conditions to check alongside the figure\"\u003eFigure given in the record's detailed description\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eMinistry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Operation period\"\u003eDecember 15 to 24, 1950\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Number of refugees\"\u003eApproximately 91,000 or 98,000\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Conditions to check alongside the figure\"\u003eThe evacuation results section explicitly states that infants and others are excluded\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eU.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, H-056-1\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Operation period\"\u003eStates that the operation ended on December 24, 1950\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Number of refugees\"\u003e91,000\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Conditions to check alongside the figure\"\u003eDescribed as refugees evacuated from Hungnam by ship\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe National Archives of Korea's CEQ0001648 is an audiovisual record created by Army Headquarters under the Ministry of National Defense. Its detail page lists the year of creation as 1950. However, the catalog description should not be treated as identical to the content of the original footage. The relevant figures in this article were checked against the description on the detail page. \u003ca href=\"https://archives.go.kr/next/newsearch/showDetailPopup.do?rc_code=1310377\u0026amp;rc_rfile_no=200200097143\u0026amp;rc_ritem_no=000000000001\u0026amp;sitePage=1-2-1\"\u003eNational Archives of Korea, CEQ0001648 details\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#points-commonly-explained-in-military-history-studies\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"points-commonly-explained-in-military-history-studies\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003ePoints Commonly Explained in Military History Studies\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilitary history accounts discuss both the preservation of military strength and civilian evacuation. The U.S. Army's “Dunkirk of Korea” distinguishes the achievement of carrying out an evacuation during a retreat. Briscoe's study examines civilian assistance and the role of transport organization in detail. Neither account treats victory in the war as a whole as equivalent to the achievements of the evacuation operation. \u003ca href=\"https://www.army.mil/article/14608/dunkirk_of_korea\"\u003eU.S. Army, “Dunkirk of Korea”\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#areas-where-differences-remain\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"areas-where-differences-remain\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAreas Where Differences Remain\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two Korean pages do not establish the exact reasons for the differences in starting dates and numbers. Whether preparatory stages were included requires further checking. The ports covered by the counts and whether infants were included must also be compared. The numerical differences alone provide insufficient grounds to call this a debate among historians.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relative weight given to each person's contribution also varies with the purpose of the source. Commemorative exhibitions emphasize persuasion and the significance of rescue. Military history studies explain orders, ship assignments, and cargo-handling organization in greater detail. Unverified conversations about boarding should not be used to fill these gaps.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#its-significance-in-remembrance-today\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"its-significance-in-remembrance-today\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIts Significance in Remembrance Today\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hungnam Evacuation is a historical example of military operations and civilian evacuation being intertwined. Victory or defeat in battle alone cannot adequately explain the results of refugee transport. Conversely, a rescue story alone leaves out the military background to the evacuation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following distinctions are useful when studying the event today.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeparate the scale of the overall operation from the number of people aboard individual ships.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConsider command decisions alongside the port work that put them into practice.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecord both the number of people evacuated and the existence of those who could not board.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistinguish the nature of original records, catalog descriptions, and later studies.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#when-did-the-hungnam-evacuation-take-place\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"when-did-the-hungnam-evacuation-take-place\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhen did the Hungnam Evacuation take place?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt took place in December 1950. The National Archives of Korea gives the dates as December 12 to 24. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs special exhibition gives December 15 to 24.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#exactly-how-many-refugees-were-evacuated\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"exactly-how-many-refugees-were-evacuated\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eExactly how many refugees were evacuated?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is difficult to establish one exact figure from the records checked. The National Archives of Korea states that there were over 100,000. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs gives approximately 91,000 or 98,000, excluding infants and others.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#was-refugee-transport-central-to-the-operation-from-the-beginning\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"was-refugee-transport-central-to-the-operation-from-the-beginning\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWas refugee transport central to the operation from the beginning?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs explains that the initial focus was on evacuating military personnel and supplies. Refugee transport later expanded through persuasion and the securing of space. Civilian evacuation was carried out alongside the military withdrawal.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#did-the-meredith-victory-transport-all-the-refugees\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"did-the-meredith-victory-transport-all-the-refugees\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eDid the Meredith Victory transport all the refugees?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSS Meredith Victory was one of the ships that took part in the overall operation. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs states that it transported approximately 14,000 people. Other ships also carried groups of refugees.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#were-the-battle-of-chosin-reservoir-and-the-hungnam-evacuation-the-same-event\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"were-the-battle-of-chosin-reservoir-and-the-hungnam-evacuation-the-same-event\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWere the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and the Hungnam Evacuation the same event?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two events were connected but were not the same. Units that fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir withdrew to Hungnam. The Hungnam Evacuation was the subsequent evacuation operation centered on the port.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#did-all-the-refugees-who-gathered-at-hungnam-port-board-ships\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"did-all-the-refugees-who-gathered-at-hungnam-port-board-ships\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eDid all the refugees who gathered at Hungnam Port board ships?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot all refugees boarded. The U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command also describes refugees who were left behind. The total number transported should therefore not be read as the total number who gathered at the port.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#why-is-it-called-the-miracle-of-christmas\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"why-is-it-called-the-miracle-of-christmas\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhy is it called the Miracle of Christmas?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs uses this name in connection with the significance of the large-scale rescue of civilians. It is a commemorative expression. It is not a statistical term meaning that all refugees were rescued.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#where-can-the-original-records-and-explanations-be-found\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"where-can-the-original-records-and-explanations-be-found\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhere can the original records and explanations be found?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetails for reference number CEQ0001648 are available from the National Archives of Korea. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' UN Veterans Digital Archive has a special exhibition. Catalog descriptions and later exhibition explanations should be read with the nature of each source in mind.\u003c/p\u003e\n","tags":["Modern Korean history","Korean War"],"faqs":[{"question":"When did the Hungnam Evacuation take place?","answer":"It took place in December 1950. The National Archives of Korea gives the dates as December 12 to 24. A special exhibition by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs gives the dates as December 15 to 24."},{"question":"How many refugees were evacuated during the Hungnam Evacuation?","answer":"The National Archives of Korea puts the figure at around 100,000. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs gives figures of approximately 91,000 or 98,000, excluding infants and others. These figures should be cited with their sources and counting criteria."},{"question":"Was transporting refugees the focus of the operation from the start?","answer":"The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs explains that the initial focus was on withdrawing troops and supplies. Refugee transport was later expanded through persuasion and by securing space aboard ships."},{"question":"Did the Meredith Victory transport all the refugees?","answer":"SS Meredith Victory was one of several ships that participated. The approximately 14,000 people mentioned by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs refers to the number transported by this ship. This should be distinguished from the total number of people evacuated during the Hungnam Evacuation."},{"question":"What is the relationship between the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and the Hungnam Evacuation?","answer":"The units that fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir retreated to Hungnam. The Hungnam Evacuation was the subsequent withdrawal operation centered on the port. The two events are connected, but they are not the same event."},{"question":"Were all the refugees who gathered at Hungnam Port rescued?","answer":"Not all refugees boarded ships. Commentary by the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command also describes refugees who were left behind."},{"question":"Why is the Hungnam Evacuation called the Miracle of Christmas?","answer":"The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs uses this name in connection with the significance of the large-scale rescue of civilians. It is a commemorative expression and does not mean that all refugees were rescued."},{"question":"Where can records of the Hungnam Evacuation be found?","answer":"Details of the record with reference number CEQ0001648 can be found at the National Archives of Korea. The special exhibition in the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' UN Veterans Digital Archive can also be consulted. Descriptions in the archival catalog should be distinguished from later commentary."}],"sources":[{"url":"https://archives.go.kr/next/newsearch/showDetailPopup.do?rc_code=1310377\u0026rc_rfile_no=200200097143\u0026rc_ritem_no=000000000001\u0026sitePage=1-2-1","title":"National Archives of Korea, details of audiovisual record CEQ0001648 produced by Army Headquarters","type":"data_point"},{"url":"https://unarchives.mpva.go.kr/contents/xmas","title":"Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs UN Veterans Digital Archive, special exhibition \"The Miracle of Christmas\"","type":"source"},{"url":"https://arsof-history.org/articles/v7n1_hungnam_page_1.html","title":"Charles H. Briscoe, The Refugee Evacuation from Hungnam, Veritas Vol. 7, No. 1, 2011","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.maritime.dot.gov/history/gallant-ship-award/ss-meredith-victory","title":"U.S. Maritime Administration, SS MEREDITH VICTORY","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-056/h-056-1.html","title":"U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, H-056-1: Korea, November-December 1950","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.army.mil/article/14608/dunkirk_of_korea","title":"U.S. Army, Dunkirk of Korea","type":"source"}],"images":[{"id":2662,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NDA5OTcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--ff2aea8b9273c1601fec252c2da2121015336b74/ai-30425106.webp","is_representative":false,"generation_method":"ai_semi","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"translations":{"ko":{"alt":"눈 덮인 흥남항에서 인부들이 트럭의 나무 상자를 내리고, 보따리를 멘 피란민들이 수송선에 오르고 있다.","caption":"흥남철수는 군 병력과 물자 중심의 철수에서 민간인 해상 대피로 확대됐다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Workers unload trucks as refugees carrying bundles board transport ships at snow-covered Hungnam port.","caption":"The Hungnam evacuation expanded from a military withdrawal to include civilian evacuation by sea.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"雪に覆われた興南港で、作業員がトラックから木箱を下ろし、包みを背負った避難民が輸送船に乗り込んでいる。","caption":"興南撤退は、兵員と物資を中心とする撤退から、民間人の海上避難へと拡大した。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Trabajadores descargan camiones y refugiados con fardos embarcan en buques en el puerto nevado de Hungnam.","caption":"La evacuación de Hungnam pasó de una retirada militar a incluir la evacuación de civiles por mar.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Pekerja membongkar truk saat pengungsi membawa buntalan menaiki kapal angkut di pelabuhan Hungnam yang bersalju.","caption":"Evakuasi Hungnam berkembang dari penarikan militer menjadi evakuasi yang juga mencakup warga sipil melalui laut.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Trabalhadores descarregam caminhões e refugiados com trouxas embarcam em navios no porto nevado de Hungnam.","caption":"A evacuação de Hungnam passou de uma retirada militar a incluir a evacuação de civis por mar.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"白雪覆蓋的興南港內，工人從卡車卸下木箱，背著包袱的難民正登上運輸船。","caption":"興南撤退從以軍隊與物資為主的撤離，擴大為包含平民的海上疏散行動。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Arbeiter entladen Lastwagen, während Flüchtlinge mit Bündeln im verschneiten Hafen von Hungnam Schiffe besteigen.","caption":"Die Evakuierung von Hungnam wurde vom militärischen Rückzug zur Evakuierung auch von Zivilisten über See ausgeweitet.","description":null}}},{"id":2663,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NDEwMDMsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--391ca1aab1890d752d79706b177b388e6b8f549f/ai-139af882.webp","is_representative":false,"generation_method":"ai_semi","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"translations":{"ko":{"alt":"피란민으로 갑판이 가득 찬 화물선이 눈 덮인 흥남항을 떠나고, 부두에는 다른 수송선들이 남아 있다.","caption":"메러디스 빅토리호의 피란민 수송은 전체 흥남철수의 일부였다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"A cargo ship crowded with refugees leaves snowy Hungnam harbor, with other transports still at the quays.","caption":"The Meredith Victory’s refugee transport was only one part of the wider Hungnam evacuation.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"避難民で甲板が埋まった貨物船が雪に覆われた興南港を離れ、岸壁にはほかの輸送船が残っている。","caption":"メレディス・ビクトリー号による避難民輸送は、興南撤収全体の一部だった。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Un carguero repleto de refugiados sale del puerto nevado de Hungnam; otros buques siguen junto a los muelles.","caption":"El traslado de refugiados en el Meredith Victory fue solo una parte de la evacuación de Hungnam.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Kapal kargo penuh pengungsi meninggalkan pelabuhan Hungnam yang bersalju; kapal lain masih di dermaga.","caption":"Pengangkutan pengungsi oleh Meredith Victory hanyalah satu bagian dari keseluruhan evakuasi Hungnam.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Um cargueiro lotado de refugiados deixa o porto nevado de Hungnam; outros navios permanecem no cais.","caption":"O transporte de refugiados pelo Meredith Victory foi apenas uma parte da evacuação de Hungnam.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"一艘甲板擠滿避難民眾的貨輪駛離白雪覆蓋的興南港，其他運輸船仍停靠碼頭。","caption":"梅瑞迪斯勝利號的難民運輸只是整體興南撤退的一部分。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Ein mit Flüchtlingen überfülltes Frachtschiff verlässt den verschneiten Hafen Hungnam; weitere Schiffe liegen am Kai.","caption":"Der Flüchtlingstransport mit der Meredith Victory war nur ein Teil der gesamten Evakuierung von Hungnam.","description":null}}}],"published_at":"2026-11-10T17:50:37+09:00","updated_at":"2026-11-10T17:50:37+09:00","license":"cc_by","translation_status":"reviewed","available_locales":["ko","en","ja","es"],"data_locales":["ko","en","ja","es","id","pt","zh-hant","de"],"url":"https://injoys.com/en/articles/hungnam-evacuation-1950-refugee-sea-transport"}