서갑호 徐甲虎
Founder of Bangnim Spinning, entrepreneur active in Japan and Korea
| Life | 1915 ~ 1976 |
| Era | 현대 |
| Clan | 달성 서씨 |
Life & career
Seo Gap-ho (徐甲虎, 21 March 1915 - 22 November 1976) was a South Korean businessman and the founder of Bangnim Spinning, of the Dalseong Seo clan. Born in Ulsan, South Gyeongsang, he graduated from Eonyang Public Common School and went to Japan in 1929. There he entered the textile business and founded Sakamoto Spinning; Wikipedia says that for a time he ranked first in Japan in income-tax payments. He is known as a Korean-Japanese entrepreneur who achieved great success in Japan.
In 1962 he bought the site and building of the Republic of Korea embassy in Azabu-Juban, Tokyo, and donated them to the state. Wikipedia says the purpose of the purchase was to provide a residence for Prince Yeongchin (Yi Un), the last crown prince of Joseon, who after losing Japanese nationality in 1947 and being dropped from the Japanese imperial family register had nowhere to go. The gift is often cited as an example of wealth made in Japan being returned to the homeland.
In January 1963 he took over Taechang Spinning, then managed by the Korea Development Bank, and founded Sakamoto Spinning Co. in Korea; in 1967 the name was changed to Bangnim Spinning Co. (邦林紡績). He is credited with a major influence on the development of Korea's textile industry. He died on 22 November 1976, and in October 2025 he was selected as the 'Overseas Korean of the Month'. The scale of his business, family and tomb could not be confirmed here and are therefore left out.
Prince Yeongchin (Yi Un), the last crown prince of Joseon, is known to have returned to Korea in 1963 and died in Seoul in 1970. Seo Gap-ho's embassy-site donation came in 1962, a year before his return. Taechang Spinning had been managed by the Korea Development Bank, and Seo's takeover of it began his textile business within Korea.
Success in Japan
He went to Japan in 1929, founded Sakamoto Spinning and for a time ranked first in income tax.
The Embassy Site Donation
In 1962 he donated the embassy site and building in Azabu-Juban, Tokyo; Wikipedia says the aim was to provide a home for Prince Yeongchin.
Bangnim Spinning
In 1963 he acquired Taechang Spinning and founded Sakamoto Spinning in Korea, renamed Bangnim Spinning in 1967.
Grave
The location of his tomb could not be confirmed here.