Belgian “Korea” (BUNC) Battledress
Original Belgian BUNC (Belgian United Nations Command) Korean War battledress blouse. This postwar Belgian Army example is fitted with period-applied Korean War insignia including the “BELGIUM” shoulder title, “KOREA” shoulder tab, lion-head divisional patch and blue-and-white formation insignia.
Interestingly, the 3rd Division patch is sewed on mirrored (lines should face the other way) but I found evidence in a documentary, where this also occured!
The battledress retains multiple ribbon bars (incl. WWII awards and Korea awards), US Unit Citation, and qualification insignia, giving the uniform a strong and attractive veteran appearance. Inside is the original maker/tailor label marked “Et. Maurice Delholle – BUNCOR”, dated 1949.
A very displayable and increasingly uncommon Belgian Korean War uniform with excellent historical character.
Condition is good overall with normal age and service wear. Insignia remain well preserved and the uniform displays very nicely. Exact condition as shown in the photographs.
€395,00
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Historical Description
Following the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, Belgium established the Belgian United Nations Command (BUNC), commonly known as the Belgian Volunteer Corps for Korea. Belgian volunteers served alongside United Nations forces under American command and earned a respected combat reputation during several major engagements throughout the conflict.
This battledress blouse is a postwar Belgian Army example adapted for Korean War service. It retains its characteristic period insignia, including the embroidered “BELGIUM” shoulder title, divisional formation signs and a “KOREA” shoulder tab, all consistent with Belgian service in Korea during the early 1950s.
Inside the battledress is an original tailor or maker label reading “Et. Maurice Delholle – BUNCOR”, dated 1949. This refers to the manufacturer or tailoring establishment rather than the soldier who wore the uniform. The battledress itself was likely produced shortly after the Second World War and later utilized during Belgian Korean War service.
The uniform further retains period ribbon bars and qualification insignia, reflecting continued service use. The lion-head divisional insignia and blue-and-white shoulder formation patch complete this attractive Korean War-related Belgian Army display piece.
Belgian Korean War uniforms remain highly sought after due to the relatively small size of the Belgian contingent that served in Korea, making surviving original examples increasingly difficult to encounter today.
