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Seo Gwang-beom (Korean: 서광범; Hanja: 徐光範; 8 November 1859 – 17 July 1897) was a Korean reformist and politician of Korea's late Joseon.
Biography edit
Seo Gwang-beom, or known by his English name: Kennedy (or Kenneth) Seo, was born into the Daegu Seo clan. Seo married Lady Kim of the Shin Andong Kim clan when he was a young boy, but Lady Kim had died at a young age to which led him to marry again and then a third time. He was close to his late wife's relative, Kim Ok-gyun, who brought enlightenment and thoughts to him when he was young. Seo later became close with Park Yeong-hyo, Park Chan-ju's grandfather (the wife of Prince Yi U).
Seo Gwang-beom was born into an aristocratic family of Korea and rose quickly through the political ranks.[1] In 1883, he joined the first ever Korean mission to the United States. Upon his return, he participated in the failed Gapsin Coup.[2] He was forced into exile, and spent 10 years in the United States, working for a time as a messenger in the Bureau of Education making a very modest salary. He was recalled to Korea where he was named Minister of Justice, where he led several important reforms. He was then sent to London as the Korean envoy to the Jubilee before returning to Korea to become a privy councilor to the King of Korea. He was sent back to Washington as an envoy where he served as Minister.[1]
He was the Minister of Justice, a Korean minister to the United States, an envoy to the Queen's Jubilee and a one-time political refugee and exile.[1]
He died on 17 July 1897 in Washington, DC after an illness of a few days following his collapse after a bicycle ride. His remains were cremated.[1]
Trivia edit
Seo Gwang-beom's 4th great-grandfather was the older brother of Queen Jeongseong; who was a Joseon Dynasty Queen during the late 17th century.
Seo Jae-pil and Seo Jae-chang were his 5th cousins as they share 4th great-grandparents.
Family edit
- Father
- Seo Sang-ik (서상익; 徐相翊; 1835–1884)
- Mother
- Lady Park of the Bannam Park clan (반남 박씨; 潘南 朴氏)
- Wives
- Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan (안동 김씨); daughter of Kim Byeong-ji (김병지; 金炳地; 1830–1888)
- Lady Kim of the Gwangsan Kim clan (광산 김씨)
- Lady Park of the Miryang Park clan (밀양 박씨); daughter of Park Seung-heon (박승헌; 朴承憲)
- Issue
- Adoptive son - Seo Jae-deok (서재덕; 徐載德); son of the Seo Gwang-jeong (서광정; 徐光鼎)
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Pom Kwang Soh Dead". The Washington Post. 14 August 1897.
- ^ "보빙사 (報聘使)" [Bobingsa]. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-27.
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