The present invention relates to a backlight unit with a light emitting diode block assembly connected thereto, and a liquid crystal display having the backlight unit. In one embodiment, the backlight unit includes a plurality of light source blocks each of which includes a substrate having a light source and an electrode portion formed thereon; a connector electrically connecting the light source blocks to each other, coupled to the light source blocks in contact with one side of the connector, and fastening the light source blocks to each other by cross-coupling the light source blocks; and a supporter disposed on the other side of the connector. In this manner, LED blocks can be simultaneously both electrically and mechanically coupled, using a relatively small and simple number of connectors, facilitating reliability and ease of manufacture.