Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
British journalist remembered for advocating Korea's independence
By Yi Whan-woo
Ernest Bethell
By Yi Whan-woo
For British journalist Ernest Bethell, setting up a newspaper here to adovocate Korea’s independence posed an extra challenge on top of confronting Japan.
This was when Great Britain and Japan, after signing their first Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Alliance in January 1902, had been assisting one another in safeguarding their respective interests in China and Korea.
Bethell initially came to Korea in 1904 to report on the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War, after joining his family’s business in Japan. And although not intended, he stood in Great Britain’s way when he disclosed Japan’s schemes to take away Korea’s freedom and independence bit by bit.
Bethell still pushed ahead with what he believed was right. When Japan forced Korea to sign the Eulsa Treaty in 1905 to deny Korea’s diplomatic sovereignty, Bethell called the treaty void.
He also published an article about King Gojong’s secret letter to German Emperor Wilhelm II appealing for help after the signing of the Eulsa Treaty.
Bethell died of cardiomegaly on May 1, 1909. He was just 36.
“Even though I die, the Korea Daily News must live forever to save the Korean nation,” he said reportedly with his last breath, referring to the English-language newspaper he founded.
He also founded the Korean-language newspaper Daehan Maeil Shinbo, the predecessor of Seoul Shinmun.
His spirit inspired Koreans during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula and thereafter.
British Ambassador to Korea Simon Smith poses with a monument on the site of late British journalist Ernest Bethell?s house in Korea. / British Embassy
“The time he spent in Korea between his arrival in 1904 and his death in 1909 was little more than five years in total,” British Ambassador to Korea Simon Smith said in a speech. “But it is fair to say that in that relatively short time he made a considerable impact in nurturing the spirit of Korean independence.”
Nik Mehta, deputy head of mission at the British Embassy in Seoul, delivered Smith’s speech during the 110th anniversary ceremony of Bethell’s death on May 1 at Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery in Hapjeong-dong, Seoul.
More than 200 people joined the ceremony, including Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Lee Byeong-goo and Seoul Shinmun executives.
The 110th anniversary of Bethell’s death coincided with the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement, a series of demonstrations to proclaim Korea’s independence from Japan’s colonial rule.
Ambassador Smith said the British journalist, through his newspapers, “inspired Korean readers to believe that resistance to colonial rule was just, and to hope that one day it would succeed in bringing back Korea’s independence.”
The ambassador also referred to friction between Bethell and Great Britain, which along with other imperial powers was competing for colonies.
“His writings in Korea indicate strongly that he understood, as many of us do today, that the empires of the 19th and early 20th centuries were intrinsically unjust: based on the subjugation of the weak by the strong, and on the use of technical and industrial advancement to exploit less-developed communities and to gain military and commercial dominance,” Smith said.
“Against this background, it was perhaps inevitable that Bethell would be seen by the British government representatives in Korea at the time as a troublemaker, not a hero.”
Japan persistently pressed the British government to deport Bethell and force the discontinuation of his newspapers. The British government put Bethell on trial in Seoul twice.
According to Ambassador Smith, the judge called Bethell “a foreign guest in this country ... who owed a duty of quiet and orderly conduct” to its government.
“I hope that in the 21st century it would seem more natural to a British government official to recognize — even in politically difficult circumstances — the fundamental importance of press freedom,” the envoy said. “But it appears that the judge in Bethell’s second trial put a higher priority on quiet and orderly conduct than on freedom of expression.”
Smith described Bethell as a person “ready to put his life and health at risk” to ensure the truth was told about conditions on the peninsula.
“As such he deserves to be remembered as a champion of press freedom and a champion of Korean independence,” Smith said.
Nik Mehta, right, deputy head of mission at the British Embassy in Seoul, delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the 110th anniversary of the death of British journalist Ernest Bethell. The ceremony was held on May 1 at Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery in Hapjeong-dong, Seoul. / British Embassy
Noting World Press Freedom Day was on May 3, Mehta, in a separate speech, noted that last year was the worst on record for attacks on journalists, with 80 killed and 348 imprisoned.
He said this made May 3 “a day to pay tribute to journalists like Bethell who have had their freedom curtailed as a result of their profession.”
Mehta added, “While Bethell did not live to see Korea’s liberation, few would question the legacy he left behind. His commitment to free speech and the impact that he had could never be overestimated.”
Mehta referred to Bethell as “a man who did not shy away from fighting injustice.”
“Bethell defended Korea’s interests on the peninsula and gave a voice to those who were unable to speak out.”Metha said. “Bethell has left an indelible mark on Korea’s history, one that will never be forgotten, and he has done as much as anyone to contribute to the strong bonds between our two countries.”
Mehta said he hoped Korea would join the first ministerial-level conference on media freedom in London in July. The U.K. and Canadian governments will host the conference to help protect press freedom.