Facts about first Western doctor in Korea

Dear editor,

On Monday, The Korea Times published an article about the "first" Western doctor in Korea, Herbert Wunsch, whose granddaughter from Germany was recently presented with an award on behalf of Dr. Wunsch. Congratulations to that family for their early interest in and ongoing connection with Korea.

However, your naming Dr. Wunsch as the "first Western doctor in Korea 1901-1905" is a serious error, which should be corrected for the benefit of accuracy for your readers. I would like to call your attention to the fact that there were at least four Western doctors working in Korea in the mid-1880s with more arriving before the turn of the century.

Dr. Horace Allen (Presbyterian) arrived in Korea in September 1884 as the first Protestant missionary and opened the first Western hospital in Seoul in April 1885 with the approval of King Gojong. Later Allen became an American diplomat and was assigned as minister and finally envoy ― ambassador to Korea in 1901, being thrice decorated by King Gojong.

Shortly after Allen, Dr. William B. Scranton (Methodist missionary) came to Korea in June 1885 to begin medical work and opened several hospitals and clinics, one for women with the support of his mother, Mary F.B. Scranton, founder of Ewha Womans University (1886). At the same time Dr. John Heron, a Presbyterian missionary, arrived in Seoul and began work alongside Dr. Allen, later succeeding him as superintendent of Allen's hospital.

In 1888 Presbyterian Dr. Lillias S. Horton took the responsibility of the women's department in the government hospital and became the trusted physician of the queen. Horton married Rev. H.G. Underwood in 1889 and continued working in Korea for many years, opening a women's and children's dispensary in 1895. (Indeed, it might well be a very appropriate; tribute to Dr. Horton to recognize her great-grandson who is still living in Seoul and contributing to Korea today.)

Then in the decade from 1890 more Western medical missionaries came to Korea and did pioneering work in medicine. Among them was Dr. O.R. Avison (Canadian) whose name is long associated with Severance Hospital. And 1890 also was the year when Allen resigned his missionary status to assume responsibilities at the American Legation in Seoul, and Heron died and was buried in Yanghwajin Foreigners' Cemetery.

Therefore, the fact is that, before Dr. Wunsch arrived in Korea from Germany, there were four resident Western doctors in Korea, having all arrived between 1884-1888 and others who followed before the turn of the 20th century. Korea is deeply indebted to all those pioneers who sacrificially gave their medical expertise to improving the health of Korean people. It is good to know that Wunsch later came from Germany to share and continue in that worthwhile endeavor.

Thank you for your paper's interest in the history of this country and the many persons of various backgrounds whose dedication and sacrifice contributed to making it a responsible world power in the 21st century.

Sonia Reid Strawn

United Methodist missionary, retired

Seoul