Descendants of independence patriots head to Korea

British-born Canadian veterinarian Dr. Frank W. Schofield (1889-1970) is known for his role in making a photographic record of the Japanese invasion while he was teaching at the Severance Medical School in Korea. / Yonhap

Nine descendants of three foreign independence patriots during Korea’s occupation by Japan (1910-45) will attend special events here from August 11 to 17 to mark Korea’s 71st anniversary of independence.

Four descendants of British-born Canadian veterinarian Dr. Frank W. Schofield (1889-1970), including his granddaughter Lisa Gale Schofield, 54, are on the list, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Wednesday.

Schofield is known for his role in making a photographic record of the Japanese invasion while he was teaching at the Severance Medical School in Korea. He was buried in the Korean National Cemetery as the first foreigner to be honored in Korea.

A visit by Schofield’s descendants is special because this year marks the 100th anniversary of Schofield coming to Korea, according to the ministry.

Also among invitees are three descendants of British journalist Ernest Thomas Bethell (1872-1909), who founded the newspaper “Daehan Maeil Sinbo”, also known as “The Korea Daily News”, to disclose Japanese soldiers’ abuse of Koreans. Bethell’s granddaughter, Susan Jane Black, 60, and grandson Bethell Thomas Owen, 57, are among the group.

David Norris Rass, 49, and William Norris Rass, 16, are the great-grandson and great-great grandson of the late United States Senator George Norris (1861-1944). Norris is known for having criticized Japan’s brutal colonial rule of Korea while serving as a senator. He was posthumously awarded a state medal on May 9 in recognition of his contribution to Korea winning independence.

South Korea posthumously bestowed the state medal on late U.S. Senator George W. Norris in recognition of his contribution to Korea's efforts to win independence from Japan's colonial rule in the early 20th century. David Norris Rath, the great-grandson of Norris, is posing with South Korean Ambassador to the United States Ahn Ho-young (R) after receiving the National Medal on behalf of Norris at the ambassador's residence in Washington on May 9, 2016. / Yonhap

Other descendants include a great-granddaughter of Yi Wi-jong, who attended the Second Hague Peace Conference in 1907 as a delegate to deliver a letter written by Joseon Dynasty Emperor Gojong. The letter claimed the annulment of the Protectorate Treaty between Korea and Japan that was concluded in 1905. The invitee will be accompanied by her Russian husband.

The attendees will tour several historical sites to retrace the course of Korea’s independence movement and the nation’s modern progress after independence. The sites will include Seodaemun Independence Park in Seoul, Independence Hall in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and the National Museum of Korea in Seoul.

“This year’s event is meaningful in that the biggest numbers of descendants are going to visit since 1998,” a ministry official said.

“We will make an effort to keep extending the value of Korea’s independence movement to the next generation.”