The United Nations Service Medal for Korea or United Nations Service Medal is an international decoration presented by the United Nations to service members who participated in the Korean War between June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1954. It was the first international award ever given and was created to acknowledge the multinational participation in the defense of South Korea against North Korea. Originally referred to as simply the United Nations Service Medal, the name was changed on November 22, 1961 to distinguish between subsequent UN mission medals.