By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung visited the Seo Jae-pil Memorial Hall (Chairman Choi Jeong-su, Seo Jae-pil Memorial Foundation) in Philadelphia, USA, on August 27. They toured the memorial hall facilities and encouraged foundation officials.

The Seo Jae-pil Memorial Hall was established in 1990 to widely promote Dr. Seo Jae-pil's (1977, Grand Order of Merit for National Foundationr) noble achievements and spirit of patriotism and devotion to his people within American society.

The Seo Jae-pil Memorial Foundation purchased the house where Dr. Seo lived during his lifetime in 1986, renovated it, and opened it as a memorial hall in November 1990.

Dr. Seo Jae-pil dedicated himself to promoting the ideals of independence and patriotic enlightenment, including founding the Independence Newspaper—the precursor to Korea's private newspapers—establishing the Independence Association, and erecting the Independence Gate. He was exiled to the United States in 1898.

When the March 1 Movement erupted in Korea in 1919, he closed the hospital he was operating and threw himself back into the independence movement.

From April 14 for three days, he held the ‘Korean Freedom Conference’ in Philadelphia, where a resolution demanding recognition of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea by the League of Nations and the United States was adopted.

Subsequently, he served as the Provisional Government's diplomatic advisor and as Chairman of the Washington Committee for the United States and Europe, actively pursuing diplomatic efforts for Korea's independence on the international stage.

Accompanying the visit were key figures including U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Media City Mayor Robert McMahon, and Pennsylvania State Senators Patty Kim and Tim Kearney.

President Lee Jae-myung stated, “It is deeply meaningful to visit this memorial hall, imbued with the spirit of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who dedicated himself to our nation's independence during this U.S. visit.”

He encouraged officials, adding, “I hope the memorial hall continues to serve as a space that educates future generations about the history of the independence movement and contributes to the local community.”

He also inquired in detail about the preservation status of Dr. Seo's birthplace in Boseong, South Jeolla Province.

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung showed great interest in the manuscript of the English-Korean dictionary written by Dr. Seo Jae-pil himself after he went into exile in the United States.