Philip Jaisohn

Philip Jaisohn
Hangul	서재필
Hanja	徐載弼
Revised Romanization	Seo Jae-pil
McCune–Reischauer	Sŏ Chae-p'il

Philip Jaisohn (b. January 7 1864 in Boseong County, Korea - d. January 5 1951 in Norristown, Pennsylvania) 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.

Political activist

Seo Jae-Pil (Jaisohn's original name) was born as the second son of a local magistrate, and was raised by one of his relatives in Seoul. When Seo Jai-Pil was a teenager, he already imbued modern political ideas in association with reformist leader Kim Okgyun.

He passed the civil service 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 Jai-Pil, following Kim Okgyun, was involved in the Kapsin Coup, a radical attempt to overturn the old regime and establish equality among people. He was appointed the Vice-Minister of Defence. The Coup was aborted in three days, as China intervened by sending military troops. Convicted of treason, Seo Jai-Pil lost his whole family and had to flee Korea to save his life.

Exile in the United States

In the United States, Seo Jai-Pil could attend the Harry Hillman Academy (Wilkes-Barre, PA) thanks to the help of John Wells Hollenbeck. He began to use the name "Philip Jaisohn" at that time. In 1890, he became the first Korean-American acquiring citizenship of the United States. He studied medicine at the Columbian College (now George Washington University), receiving a medical degree in 1892. In 1894, he married Muriel Armstrong, a niece of the former president of the United States, James Buchanan and had two daughters later--Stephanie and Muriel.

Sowing the Ideals of Independence and Democracy

In 1894, Japan defeated China in the war 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 Independence (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 haled 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 Pennsylvania and later became a successful printer and stationer in Philadelphia. As he heard the news of the March First 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 medical profession 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 the World War II, he volunteered as the 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 II. 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 and died in 1951 during the Korean War.

Timeline

• 1864 (1.7): Born in Bosung, Korea as the second son of Seo Kwang-Hyo.
• 1871: Adopted to Seo Kwang-Ha, Seo Kwang-Hyo's 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 Okgyun. The attempt was aborted in three days and Jaisohn had to emigrate to Japan.
• 1885: Arrived in San Francisco with Park Young Hyo 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 the US citizenship.
• 1892: Earned a medical degree and opened a private medical office in 1984.
• 1894 (6.20): Married to Muriel Armstrong, daughter of George Buchanan Armstron. 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 Pennsylvania.
• 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 Pennsylvania.
• 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 the 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 (1.5): 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 Seoul.

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 and 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 Korean President 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.

See also

• List of Korean Americans
• History of Korea
• Korean independence movements
• List of Korea-related topics
• Arirang - Interactive History of Korean Americans