Changemaker name [38]: Dr. Philip Jaisohn
Dates [15]: 1864–1951
Quote [200]: He loved his native land, Korea; shook it from its slumbers,
roused the young and thundered at the old. … And, to the end of his life, he
remained a dedicated champion of the cause of humanity. [204]
Quote credit [50]: Chong-Sik Lee, scholar and author, 1975
Image credit [270]: Myron Davis / The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty
Images
Subheader [40]: Inspired by Faith
Synopsis copy [220]: Dr. Philip Jaisohn was the first Korean to obtain
American citizenship. An exiled revolutionary turned Christian political
reformer, journalist, and medical doctor, Jaisohn was a pioneer of Korean
independence and democracy. [204]
Image credit [270]: Archive PL / Alamy Stock Photo
Subheader [40]: Faith in Action
Body copy [220]: On March 1, 1919, independence demonstrations broke out
in Korea. Two million people were involved in street protests against Japanese
rule. There were 23,000 casualties and 46,000 arrests. [213]
Image caption [144]: San Francisco Examiner, April 6, 1919
Image credit [60]: Public Domain
Body copy [220]: Jaisohn convened Korean independence leaders in
Philadelphia for the First Korean Congress, from April 14 to 16, 1919. The
Congress appealed to Americans for peaceful support in opposing Japanese
imperialism. [218]
Image caption [144]: Group photograph of members of the First Korean
Congress
Image credit [60]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Body copy [220]: The Congress ended with a march to Independence Hall,
America’s “cradle of liberty.” There, Dr. Syngman Rhee, future first president of
South Korea, read the Korean Declaration of Independence. [194]
Image caption [144]: Vanguard of the march to Philadelphia’s Independence
Hall
Image credit [60]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Body copy [220]: After the Congress, Jaisohn established the League of Friends
of Korea and The Korean Review to build American support for Korea’s
independence and a new government modeled after that of the United States.
[198]
Image caption [144]: Dr. Jaisohn seated in the Assembly room of
Independence Hall, where American independence had been declared [102]
Image credit [60]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Subheader [40]: A Life of Faith
Body copy [245]: Philip Jaisohn dedicated his life to the cause of Korean
independence and democracy. He also served his adopted country as an
American citizen, a physician, and an entrepreneur. His faith was foundational
to his political thought and actions. [238]
Date [14]: 1884
Title [83]: Participates in the Gapsin Coup in Korea
Description [311]: At age 20, Soh Jai-pil (aka Philip Jaisohn) was part of a
radical progressive group that attempted a coup in 1884 against the
pro-Chinese royal government of Korea. The plotters, or Enlightenment Party,
wanted to adopt Western ideals of equality and democratic government. [285]
Image caption [142]: Soh Jai-pil and members of the Gapsin Coup in 1884
Image credit [278]: The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Date [14]: 1885
Title [83]: Exiled to the United States
Description [311]: After the failed coup, Soh was exiled and went to San
Francisco, where he was welcomed by Christians. After learning the teachings
of Jesus, he converted. A Christian benefactor funded his college education.
Adopting an American identity, Soh anglicized his name to Philip Jaisohn.
[293]
Image caption [142]: San Francisco Chronicle, June 19, 1885
Image credit [278]: The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Date [14]: 1890–1892
Title [83]: Becomes First Korean American Citizen and First Asian American
Doctor
Description [311]: Jaisohn moved to Washington, DC, and in 1890 became the
first Korean to become an American citizen. Two years later, he graduated
from George Washington University — the first person of Asian descent to
earn a U.S. medical degree. Marriage to the Washington socialite Muriel
Armstrong followed, in June of 1894. [304]
Image caption [142]: George Washington University medical class
Image credit [278]: The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Date [14]: 1895–1898
Title [83]: Returns to Korea
Description [311]: In 1895, a new regime allowed Jaisohn to return to Korea.
He taught politics at Paichai, a Methodist college, started a bilingual political
newspaper, The Independent, and organized the Independence Club, a network
of activists. His influence earned him enemies, and he left Korea again. [297]
Image caption [142]: Front page of The Independent, 1898
Image credit [278]: The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Date [14]: 1919
Title [83]: Leads First Korean Congress
Description [311]: When Japan annexed Korea, in 1910, Jaisohn resumed the
fight for independence while living in the United States. In support of the
March First Movement for independence, Jaisohn led the First Korean
Congress in Philadelphia. Its speakers championed American democracy,
liberty, and Christianity. [297]
Image caption [142]: Group of delegates at Philadelphia’s First Korean
Congress, April 14, 1919
Image credit [278]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Date [14]: 1942–1945
Title [83]: Practices Medicine and Serves During World War II
Description [311]: Jaisohn worked as a pathologist in several hospitals and
was active in medical research and writing. In 1936, he opened a general
practice in Chester, PA. During World War II he volunteered as a medical
examination officer for the Army, serving with distinction. [258]
Image caption [142]: Dr. Jaisohn and his American wife, Muriel Armstrong,
1838
Image credit [278]: The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Date [14]: 1947–1948
Title [83]: Returns to Korea to Serve as Chief Advisor to U.S. Military
Government
Description [311]: When Korea gained independence in 1945, Jaisohn
returned there to serve as special counselor to the U.S. Military Government of
South Korea. Pressed to run for the presidency of the new Republic of Korea in
1948, he declined. He decided to remain an American citizen and return to the
U.S. [290]
Image caption [142]: Reception of Dr. Jaisohn in Seoul, 1947
Image credit [278]: AB Historic / Alamy Stock Photo
Subheader [40]: The First Korean Congress
Bubble copy [254, 180-200 w/source]: Explore the transcript of the three-day
First Korean Congress to learn how faith informed Jaisohn’s ideas of liberty.
Image credit [270]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Bubble copy [254, 180-200 w/source]: This movement for independence and
Christian democracy is all a revelation to Americans. … Now you have begun,
and I want you to keep it up until Americans understand Korea.
Source [51]: N/A
Image credit [270]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Bubble copy [254, 180-200 w/source]: In a public address to Americans, the
Congress resolved, “Our cause is a just one before the laws of God and man.
Our aim is freedom from militaristic autocracy, our object is democracy for
Asia; our hope is universal Christianity.” [173]
Source [51]: N/A
Image credit [270]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Bubble copy [254, 180-200 w/source]: What we want to do is to start in on
missionary work in the Orient for the principles of Christianity and democracy
… It will be a Christlike act … to afford … the privilege of becoming a believer
in democracy.” [225]
Source [51]: N/A
Image credit [270]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Bubble copy [254, 180-200 w/source]: You have two great missions to
perform and you are adapted for it. You are just the people. The first mission is
to Christianize the Orient, and the second is to democratize the Orient.
Source [51]: N/A
Image credit [270]: HathiTrust Digital Library
Subheader [40]: Legacy of Liberty
Question/alignment statement [179]: Do you think that the biblical religions
of Judaism and Christianity have fostered democracy around the world?
Image credit [270]: Michael Davis / Alamy Stock Photo
Scripture [200]: Our Father in heaven:
May your holy name be honored;
may your Kingdom come;
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Scripture credit [50]: Matthew 6:9b–10
Image credit [270]: Korean Heritage Library, University of Southern
California.; Korean Heritage Library
Related changemakers: Abraham Lincoln, William Jennings Bryan, Billy
Graham
