Historical Background
Leprosy was first described in Korean classical literature, with rather definite identity, at the end of the 13th century.
During the early days of the 20th century, American medical missionaries founded three leprosaria in the southern parts of Korea. In 1917, the National Leprosarium in Sorok-do Island was begun.
In 1932, the Chosun Leprosy Prevention. Association was founded, with whose assistance the Sorok-do Leprosarium was gradually expanded.
In 1946, after the War, many leprosy patients appeared on the streets from hiding, due to loose administrative control.
In 1947, a survey of wandering patients revealed 4,387 cases; 94% of them had the physical capability of engaging in productive labor work.
In 1947, the Korean Leprosy Association was founded, and the Hope Village Movement was started. The latter was based upon the policy of securing care and relief for the village on a self-support basis.
In 1946, promin was first introduced to Korea, and from 1953, a nation-wide coverage with D.D.S. and its derivatives to known cases was started.
In 1955, a leprosy out-patient clinic, and in 1957, a leprosy mobile clinic were started. In 1961, the leprosy control 5-year plan was started. e In 1963, the over-all compulsory segregation law abolished.
Registered, Institutionalized and Estimated Number of Patients .
The registered number of patients was- 5;112 in 1924 and increased gradually up to 13,772 in 1941, and 27,919 in 1962.
Institutionalized cases were 7,500 in 1944; 8,018 in 1949; 18,607 in 1954; 21,407 in 1959; and 20,528 in 1962. r
R.M. Wilson, in 1934, estimated the number to be 20,000; J.M. Mackenzie, in 1936, 20,000;, J. Lew, in 1948, more than 40,000; the Ministry of Health, in 1954, 45,000; and R.G. Cochrane, - ME 1955, 150,000. In 1960, J. Lew estimated it at not ´more- than 100;000, with his random survey of 19,567 military conscripts .(84 cases) and 3,416 marines (6 cases).
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