80th Liberation Day Remembering foreign footprints on Korea’s road to liberation
Commemorating Korea’s liberation from Japan in 1945 would be incomplete without remembering the tens of thousands of independence fighters and activists who risked their lives for the country’s freedom. According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, a total of 18,258 people have been officially recognized as independence fighters, among whom 76 are non-Korean nationals. The real number is likely much higher. Although the efforts of those 76 foreigners is immeasurable, little is known about them, let alone details of their contributions. Marking the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, The Korea Times compiled stories of 11 non-Korean independence fighters and activists — each linked to a place that commemorates their contribution. 1. Severance Hospital — Horace Allen, Frank Schofield Severance Hospital in Seoul is Korea’s first Western-style hospital, founded by American missionary Horace Allen (1858-1932) in 1885. Originally called Gwanghyewon, the hospital was later called Jejoongwon before it finally became Severance Hospital. At a time when Joseon-era medicin
![[80th Liberation Day] Remembering foreign footprints on Korea’s road to liberation](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)