UNICEF Korea

The UNICEF Korea Committee (유니세프한국위원회) is the Republic of Korea arm of UNICEF, the United Nations agency mandated to protect children worldwide. Korea joined UNICEF as a recipient country in 1950 during the Korean War and transitioned into a donor nation in 1994, becoming one of the few countries in history to make that shift within a single generation. Based in Seoul, the committee fundraises domestically and advocates for children's rights at home and abroad. Its signature programs include the Honors Club (아너스클럽), a community of long-term major donors who have contributed over 100 million won each to children in need globally. The committee also coordinates disaster response campaigns, school-based education drives, and annual fundraising telethons broadcast across Korean networks. The committee became a central figure in K-pop philanthropy through its ongoing partnership with BTS and BIGHIT MUSIC. Launched in November 2017, the LOVE MYSELF campaign tied BTS merchandise and album sales to donations aimed at ending violence against children. As of March 2024, BTS, BIGHIT MUSIC, and the global ARMY fandom had together contributed more than 8.9 billion won (approximately US$6.6 million) to UNICEF through the campaign. BTS addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2018, making global headlines and amplifying UNICEF's #ENDviolence message to new audiences. The campaign was renewed in 2023 to support UNICEF's #OnMyMind mental health initiative.