On this day in Korea - October 2, 1966: Nurses depart for Germany

At the request of West Germany, the South Korean government under the administration of President Park Chung-hee officially dispatched 251 female nurses to the European nation. Germany was experiencing a severe shortage of workers amid its rapid post-war economic growth. This pivotal labor migration not only provided crucial support for the European healthcare system but also opened up foreign employment opportunities for South Koreans during a challenging economic era at home, creating lasting cultural and personal ties between the two countries that endured long after their initial service contracts concluded and cementing the enduring bond between both nations.