Philip Jaisohn
Encyclopedia
Philip Jaisohn was the anglicized name used by Seo Jae-pil, a noted champion for Korea's independence, and the first Korean to become a naturalized citizen of the United States
.
Seo Jae-pil was born in Boseong County, Korea
. He was the second son of a local magistrate, and was raised by one of his relatives in Seoul
. When Seo was a teenager, he was already imbued with modern political ideas in association with reformist leader Kim Ok-gyun.
He passed the civil service exam
at the age of 18, one of the youngest persons to ever pass this exam, and became a junior officer in 1882. In the following year, he was sent to Japan where he studied both at the Keio Gijuku (the forerunner of the Keio University
) and the Toyama Army Academy.
In 1884, Seo, following Kim Ok-gyun, was involved in the Gapsin Coup, a radical attempt to overturn the old regime and establish equality among people. He was appointed the Vice-Minister of Defense. The coup was aborted in three days, as China intervened by sending military troops. Convicted of treason, Seo Jae-Pil lost his whole family and had to flee Korea to save his life.
and attended the Harry Hillman Academy (Wilkes-Barre, PA) thanks to the help of John Welles Hollenback. He began to use the name "Philip Jaisohn" at that time. In 1890, he became the first Korean American to acquire United States citizenship. He studied medicine at George Washington University, and was the first Korean to receive an American medical degree in 1892. In 1894, he married Muriel Armstrong, a niece of the former president of the United States, James Buchanan
, and daughter to the U.S. Postmaster General, and had two daughters later—Stephanie and Muriel.
which occurred in the Korean Peninsula
, and Korean cabinet was filled with reformists. Along with these political changes, the treason of the Kapsin Coup were pardoned enabling Jaisohn's return (1895). In Korea, he endeavored to politically educate people. Most of all, Jaisohn published a newspaper, The Independent (독립신문), to transform Korean people into an informed citizenry. He for the first time started to print his newspaper entirely in Korean
to extend readership to lower classes and women. He promoted national independence as the principal political ideal and emphasized neutral diplomatic approaches to protect Korea from China, Russia and Japan. He also underscored the importance of public education, modernized industry and public hygienes. The Independence was particularly critical of misconducts of government officials, which brought wide reactions from the conservatives. Under the aegis of the Independence Club
, Jaisohn organized the All People's Congress, an open public forum to debate over political issues. The Congress was hailed by young reformers and began to establish nationwide chapters.
In 1898, conservatives accused Jaisohn and the Club of seeking to replace the monarchy with a republic, and the Korean government requested Jaisohn to return to the US. After his return, Korean government ordered the Club to disband and arrested 17 leaders including Rhee Syngman.
and later became a successful printer and stationer in Philadelphia. As he heard the news of the March 1st Movement
(1919), a nationwide protest against ruthless Japanese rule in Korea, Jaisohn convened the "First Korean Congress", which was held in Philadelphia for three days. After the Congress, Jaisohn devoted his energies and private properties for the freedom of Korea. He organized the League of Friends of Korea in 26 cities with the help of Rev. Floyd Tomkins, and established the "Korean Information Bureau" and published a political journal "Korea Review" to inform the American public of Korean situations and to persuade the US government to support the freedom for Koreans.
Five years later (1924), Jaisohn went legally bankrupt due to his political engagement and had to resume practicing medicine to make a living. At age 62, he became a student again at the University of Pennsylvania to renew his medical knowledge. Since then, he published five research articles in the medical journals specialized in pathology. During World War II, he volunteered as a physical examination officer with the belief that the victory of the U.S. would bring freedom to Korea.
. The U.S. Military Government
which was in control of the southern part of Korea invited him to serve as the chief advisor. As the date of the first presidential election was confirmed by the United Nations, Jaisohn was petitioned to run for presidency by 3,000 people including young Kim Dae-jung, but he refused in the end. Jaisohn felt that political unity was needed for a new nation despite his uneasy relationship with the president elect Syngman Rhee
. He decided to return to the United States in 1948. Jaisohn died on January 5, 1951 during the Korean War, just two days before his 87th birthday.
and Nobel peace laureate Kim Dae-jung as well as Korean American immigrants and community neighbors.
On May 21, 1994, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
and the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation dedicated a historical marker for Dr. Jaisohn, stating:
"American-educated medical doctor who sowed seeds of democracy in Korea, published its first modern newspaper (1896-98), and popularized its written language. The first Korean to earn a Western medical degree and become a U.S. citizen. He worked for Korean independence during the Japanese occupation, 1910-45. Chief Advisor to the U.S. Military Government in Korea, 1947-1948. This was his home for 25 years."
The Jaisohn House is located in Media, Pennsylvania
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Political activist
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. He was the second son of a local magistrate, and was raised by one of his relatives in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
. When Seo was a teenager, he was already imbued with modern political ideas in association with reformist leader Kim Ok-gyun.
He passed the civil service exam
Gwageo
The gwageo were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' knowledge of the Chinese classics, and sometimes also of technical subjects...
at the age of 18, one of the youngest persons to ever pass this exam, and became a junior officer in 1882. In the following year, he was sent to Japan where he studied both at the Keio Gijuku (the forerunner of the Keio University
Keio University
,abbreviated as Keio or Keidai , is a Japanese university located in Minato, Tokyo. It is known as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan. Founder Fukuzawa Yukichi originally established it as a school for Western studies in 1858 in Edo . It has eleven campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa...
) and the Toyama Army Academy.
In 1884, Seo, following Kim Ok-gyun, was involved in the Gapsin Coup, a radical attempt to overturn the old regime and establish equality among people. He was appointed the Vice-Minister of Defense. The coup was aborted in three days, as China intervened by sending military troops. Convicted of treason, Seo Jae-Pil lost his whole family and had to flee Korea to save his life.
Exile in the United States
In the United States, Seo lived in Norristown, PennsylvaniaNorristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown is a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, northwest of the city limits of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. The population was 34,324 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
and attended the Harry Hillman Academy (Wilkes-Barre, PA) thanks to the help of John Welles Hollenback. He began to use the name "Philip Jaisohn" at that time. In 1890, he became the first Korean American to acquire United States citizenship. He studied medicine at George Washington University, and was the first Korean to receive an American medical degree in 1892. In 1894, he married Muriel Armstrong, a niece of the former president of the United States, James Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
, and daughter to the U.S. Postmaster General, and had two daughters later—Stephanie and Muriel.
Sowing the Ideals of Independence and Democracy
In 1894, Japan defeated China in the First Sino-Japanese warFirst Sino-Japanese War
The First Sino-Japanese War was fought between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan, primarily over control of Korea...
which occurred in the Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
, and Korean cabinet was filled with reformists. Along with these political changes, the treason of the Kapsin Coup were pardoned enabling Jaisohn's return (1895). In Korea, he endeavored to politically educate people. Most of all, Jaisohn published a newspaper, The Independent (독립신문), to transform Korean people into an informed citizenry. He for the first time started to print his newspaper entirely in Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
to extend readership to lower classes and women. He promoted national independence as the principal political ideal and emphasized neutral diplomatic approaches to protect Korea from China, Russia and Japan. He also underscored the importance of public education, modernized industry and public hygienes. The Independence was particularly critical of misconducts of government officials, which brought wide reactions from the conservatives. Under the aegis of the Independence Club
Independence Club
The Independence Club was founded through the initiative of Philip Jaisohn on July 2, 1896, by the Korean Ministry of Foreign affairs.-See also:*Tongnip Sinmun *People's joint association*Seo Jae-pil...
, Jaisohn organized the All People's Congress, an open public forum to debate over political issues. The Congress was hailed by young reformers and began to establish nationwide chapters.
In 1898, conservatives accused Jaisohn and the Club of seeking to replace the monarchy with a republic, and the Korean government requested Jaisohn to return to the US. After his return, Korean government ordered the Club to disband and arrested 17 leaders including Rhee Syngman.
Freedom for Korea
In the United States, Jaisohn conducted medical research at the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
and later became a successful printer and stationer in Philadelphia. As he heard the news of the March 1st Movement
March 1st Movement
The March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement, was one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. The name refers to an event that occurred on March 1, 1919, hence the movement's name, literally meaning "Three-One Movement" or "March First...
(1919), a nationwide protest against ruthless Japanese rule in Korea, Jaisohn convened the "First Korean Congress", which was held in Philadelphia for three days. After the Congress, Jaisohn devoted his energies and private properties for the freedom of Korea. He organized the League of Friends of Korea in 26 cities with the help of Rev. Floyd Tomkins, and established the "Korean Information Bureau" and published a political journal "Korea Review" to inform the American public of Korean situations and to persuade the US government to support the freedom for Koreans.
Five years later (1924), Jaisohn went legally bankrupt due to his political engagement and had to resume practicing medicine to make a living. At age 62, he became a student again at the University of Pennsylvania to renew his medical knowledge. Since then, he published five research articles in the medical journals specialized in pathology. During World War II, he volunteered as a physical examination officer with the belief that the victory of the U.S. would bring freedom to Korea.
Last days in Korea
Jaisohn returned to Korea once again after Japan's defeat in the World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The U.S. Military Government
United States Army Military Government in Korea
The United States Army Military Government in Korea, also known as USAMGIK, was the official ruling body of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula from September 8, 1945 to August 15, 1948...
which was in control of the southern part of Korea invited him to serve as the chief advisor. As the date of the first presidential election was confirmed by the United Nations, Jaisohn was petitioned to run for presidency by 3,000 people including young Kim Dae-jung, but he refused in the end. Jaisohn felt that political unity was needed for a new nation despite his uneasy relationship with the president elect Syngman Rhee
Syngman Rhee
Syngman Rhee or Yi Seungman was the first president of South Korea. His presidency, from August 1948 to April 1960, remains controversial, affected by Cold War tensions on the Korean peninsula and elsewhere. Rhee was regarded as an anti-Communist and a strongman, and he led South Korea through the...
. He decided to return to the United States in 1948. Jaisohn died on January 5, 1951 during the Korean War, just two days before his 87th birthday.
Timeline
Note: dates in this section are formatted in an ambiguous way (e.g. 1.7 can mean 1 July or 7 January). See wp:DATESNO.- 1864 (January 7): Born in Bosung, Korea as the second son of Seo Kwang-Hyo.
- 1871: Adopted to Seo Kwang-Ha, Seo Kwang-Hyo's second cousin.
- 1882: Passed the Civil Service Examination.
- 1883~1884: Attended the Toyama Army Academy in Japan.
- 1884 (12.4): Staged the Kapsin coup with Kim Ok-gyun. The attempt was aborted in three days and Jaisohn had to emigrate to Japan.
- 1885: Arrived in San Francisco with Park Young-hyoPark Young-hyoPak Yeong-hyo was a Joseon Dynasty politician, diplomat and pro-Japanese activist.-Kapsin Coup:Pak was a leader during the 1884 Kapsin Coup that attempted to overthrow the Korean government and institute Western-style reforms. The coup attempt lasted only three days before the Chinese sent troops...
and Soh Kwang Bum and worked at a furniture store. - 1886~1889: Attended the Harry Hillman Academy (Wilkes Barre, PA). John W. Hollenback supported Jaisohn’s living and tuition in entirety. Anglitized his name from 'Seo Jae-Pil' to 'Philip Jaisohn.'
- 1889: Worked at the Army Surgeon General’s Library in Washington D.C translating Chinese and Japanese medical books into English. Entered the Medical School at Columbian University (now George Washington University).
- 1890 (1.19): Obtained American citizenship.
- 1892: Earned a medical degree and opened a private medical office in 1894.
- 1894 (6.20): Married Muriel Armstrong, daughter of George Buchanan Armstrong. Jaisohn later had two daughters (Stephanie and Muriel).
- 1895: Left Washington D.C. at the request of the Korean government.
- 1896 (4.7): Started to publish The Independent.
- 1896 (6.2): Founded the Independence Club.
- 1897 (5.23): Built the Independence Hall.
- 1897 (8.8): Began a public forum called 'All People's Congress'.
- 1897: Erected the Independence Gate.
- 1898: Proposed the constitution of Congress. Russia and Japan pressed the Korean government to dispel Jaisohn.
- 1899~1903: Worked at the Wistar Institute, University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. - 1904~1913: Operated a publishing and stationary business in Philadelphia with his friend, Harold Deemer.
- 1914~1924: Operated the Philip Jaisohn & Co. in Philadelphia.
- 1919 (4.14~16): Convened the First Korean Congress in Philadelphia after receiving the news of nationwide resistance in Korea.
- 1919 (4.22): Established the Korea Information Bureau.
- 1919 (5.16): Founded the League of Friends of Korea in Philadelphia with Rev. Floyd Tomkins. The League thereafter established 24 chapters in U.S., and one each in London and Paris.
- 1921 (9.29): Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai appointed Jaisohn as the vice-representative to the Washington Naval Conference.
- 1922~1935: Contributed a number of articles to Dong-A Ilbo, Chosun Ilbo, Shin Min, New Korea (Shin Han Min Bo), Peace & Liberty.
- 1924: Philip Jaisohn & Co. went bankrupt.
- 1925: With Yu Ilhan, Jaisohn founded the New-Ilhan & Co., but the business was not successful.
- 1925: Attended the Pan-Pacific Conference in Hawaii as a Korean delegate.
- 1926: Entered the Medical School of the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. - 1927~1936: Worked at the Jeans Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Charleston General Hospital and Chester Hospital.
- 1929~1934: Published five research articles in pathology journals.
- 1936: Opened a private medical office in Chester, PA.
- 1937~1940: Contributed various columns such as "My Days in Korea" and "Random Thoughts" to the New Korea.
- 1941 (4): His wife, Muriel Armstrong died.
- 1942~1945: Volunteered as a physical examination officer for the US Army during World War II.
- 1945: Awarded a medal from the US Congress in honor of contribution to the US Army.
- 1947 (7.1): Returned to Korea as the Chief Advisor to the US Military Government and as a member of the Korean Interim Legislative Assembly. Jaisohn made strenuous efforts toward democracy and the unification of Korea.
- 1948: Petitioned to run for presidency.
- 1948 (9.11): Returned to the U.S.
- 1951 (January 5): Died at the Montgomery Hospital, PA during the Korean War (1950~1953).
- 1975 (1.15): The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation was established in Philadelphia, PA.
- 1977: The National Foundation Medal was awarded posthumously to Jaisohn by the Korean government. A memorial monument was erected at Rose Tree Park, Media, PA.
- 1994: His remains were exhumed from West Laurel Cemetery to Korea and buried at the National Cemetery in SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
Philip Jaisohn Memorial House
The Philip Jaisohn Memorial House (Jaisohn House) was Dr. Jaisohn's home from 1925 to 1951. This house was bought when Dr. Jaisohn was in great financial difficulties, while his house in Philadelphia was pledged due to his devotion to the Korean independence. This house was acquisited by the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation in 1987 and became open to the public in 1990. Since then, the Jaisohn House has been visited by many students and politicians from Korea such as former South Korean presidentPresident of South Korea
The President of the Republic of Korea is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea...
and Nobel peace laureate Kim Dae-jung as well as Korean American immigrants and community neighbors.
On May 21, 1994, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage...
and the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation dedicated a historical marker for Dr. Jaisohn, stating:
"American-educated medical doctor who sowed seeds of democracy in Korea, published its first modern newspaper (1896-98), and popularized its written language. The first Korean to earn a Western medical degree and become a U.S. citizen. He worked for Korean independence during the Japanese occupation, 1910-45. Chief Advisor to the U.S. Military Government in Korea, 1947-1948. This was his home for 25 years."
The Jaisohn House is located in Media, Pennsylvania
Media, Pennsylvania
The borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and is located west of Philadelphia. Media was incorporated in 1850 at the same time that it was named the county seat. The population was 5,533 at the 2000 census. Its school district is the Rose Tree Media School District...
.
See also
- List of Korean Americans
- History of KoreaHistory of KoreaThe Korean Peninsula was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic about 400,000-500,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that the presence of modern humans in northeast Asia dates to 39,000 years ago. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began...
- Korean independence movements
- List of Korea-related topics
External links
- Arirang - Interactive History of Korean Americans
- My Days in Korea & Other Essays by Philip Jaisohn, MD, edited by Sun-pyo Hong, published by Yonsei University Press, 1999.