Did you know... (8)
By Robert Neff
The first bicycle in Korea was brought here by an American military officer in December 1884. Following the Gapsin Revolt, a group of marines and sailors were sent to the American legation in Seoul to help ensure the safety of Lucius Foote, the American Minister to Korea, and his staff. One of these American servicemen was Lieutenant Philip V. Lansdale.
It isn’t clear why, but for some reason Lansdale brought his bike with him to Seoul. Even though the ground was covered with snow, Lansdale insisted on riding his bike through the city streets. The population of the city, already somewhat excited by the recent coup attempt, had mixed reactions when they espied the foreigner on the strange contraption.
According to one of Lansdale’s companions, many Koreans fled at the sight of it but according to Horace Allen, the first Presbyterian missionary doctor to reside in Korea, the fear soon turned to amusement.
“We went through the crowded main street, he (Lansdale) on his bicycle and I on a horse. As this appalling looking object came in sight the throngs of people rushed to the middle of the street for a good view, and as it came nearer they fell back in unfeigned astonishment amounting to open-mouthed alarm, as the strangest thing they had ever seen glided through the narrow passage left for it. As the high wheel and its rider passed and was seen to be harmless... they fell into each other’s arms with laughter following the relief to their first surprised alarm.”
Lansdale’s “flying stretch” through the city caused so much commotion that afterwards he found it nearly impossible to go out and ride. Ensign George C. Foulk, the military attache at the American Legation, wrote to his parents that large crowds of Koreans besieged the Japanese consul at Jemulpo seeking his assistance in obtaining a bicycle. But apparently they weren’t the only ones interested in bicycles.
Allegedly, Lansdale was invited to the palace to give a bicycle riding demonstration to King Gojong. The Korean monarch was amazed at the spectacle and, according to Lansdale’s companion, was so impressed that he ordered a score of bicycles from the United States. That last part seems a little dubious but we do know that Gojong was fond of bicycles — even though he apparently never rode one. In 1893, Gojong requested Oliver R. Avison, a Canadian missionary doctor, to give a bicycling demonstration at the palace. The missionary was somewhat hesitant but realized he could not refuse.
“Although I had on my Prince Albert suit, there was nothing to do but to tuck its tails under me, bestride my bicycle and let him see it in action. As I rode round and round the courtyard, the King laughed and seemed to enjoy the spectacle, but he did not, as I had hoped he would, ask to try it himself.”
Robert Neff is a contributing writer for The Korea Times.