By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
Patrick Cockburn, grandson of a former British diplomat to Korea during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea (1910-1945), had a special story to tell about his grandfather during his trip to Korea.
In 1906, his grandfather Henry Cockburn was posted in Korea as British consul general. Being under the Japanese occupation, Cockburn, who was an acting judge, presided over the trial of Ernest Bethell, the British owner of a newspaper named the Korea Daily News, or Dai Han Maeil Shinbo, for running an article against the Japanese authority.
The author of the article, Yang Ki-tak, was arrested by Japanese police and was tortured, and on his release, took refuge on British-owned property.
The Japanese wanted to re-arrest Yang, but were thwarted by the British diplomat who lamented the inhumane treatment of the prisoner.
Within his diplomatic capacity, Cockburn did whatever he could to intervene, sending telegrams to British Ambassador to Japan Claude McDonald and British Foreign Minister Edward Grey for help.
All these efforts were in vain, and just risked his diplomatic career. Cockburn was recalled to Britain and immediately resigned. He was only 49.
Seen as an act of bravery to those who were told about the story, the grandson also recognized his actions. ``It was quite brave, especially with no money,'' Cockburn said in an interview in Seoul with The Korea Times.
Cockburn had actually conducted an investigation, and finally published a five-page article in the Independent, a British newspaper, where he works as a correspondent.
The family connection and his relative's bravery were the reasons he decided to write the article. The journalist hoped the story of his grandfather will come to be more known to people in Korea and the United Kingdom.
Invited by the Korean Culture and Information Service, Cockburn will stay in Korea until this weekend. He will visit the British Embassy, the Demilitarized Zone and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology.
skim@koreatimes.co.kr