서재필 徐載弼
Founder of the Independent newspaper and Independence Club; first Korean to become a US citizen; physician; Order of Merit for National Foundation, Republic of Korea Medal (1977); known as Philip Jaisohn
| Life | 1864 ~ 1951 |
| Era | 개항기·일제강점기 |
| Clan | 대구 서씨 |
Life & career
Seo Jae-pil (1864-1951), known in English as Philip Jaisohn, was a Joseon official, Enlightenment-faction politician, journalist, independence activist and physician. Courtesy name Yungyeong, pen names Songjae and Ssanggyeong, he was born in Dongbok (now Boseong), Jeolla, and raised in Nonsan, Chungcheong. Wikipedia and similar sources give his clan seat as Daegu (some sources write Dalseong, so check the genealogy). His father was Seo Gwang-hyo, and he is said to be an eighth-generation descendant of Seo Jong-je, father-in-law of Yeongjo.
He passed the 1882 special examination and began as Bu-jeongja at the Gyoseogwan, and in 1883 received short military training in Japan at Keio and the Toyama army school. In 1884 he took part in the Gapsin Coup with Seo Gwang-beom and others; after it failed he fled via Japan to the United States, becoming the first Korean US citizen in 1890 while studying medicine.
Returning in 1895 as adviser to the Privy Council, he founded Korea's first private newspaper, the Independent, in April 1896 and the Independence Club that July, introducing democracy and suffrage through debates and lectures. After the government forced him out, he practiced medicine in the United States and supported the independence movement after the March 1st Movement. After liberation he returned at the request of the US military government as chief adviser, went back to the United States in 1948, and died in 1951. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Republic of Korea Medal, in 1977, and his remains were brought to the Seoul National Cemetery in 1994.
The Gapsin Coup and Exile
He took part in the 1884 coup and fled via Japan to the United States, becoming the first Korean US citizen in 1890. Seo Gwang-beom also took part.
The Independent and the Independence Club
He founded the Independent on 7 April 1896 and the Independence Club that July, leading debates, lectures and petitions, until he was forced out by the government in 1898.
Life in America and Honors
He practiced medicine in the United States while supporting independence work, and after liberation served as adviser to the military government. He was awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Republic of Korea Medal, in 1977.
Grave
His remains are said to have been repatriated in 1994 and enshrined at the Seoul National Cemetery.
Descendants
Family and private details are not covered here.