Dr. Philip Jaisohn, 1864-1951

Dr. Philip Jaisohn, 1864-1951. The First Korean American. Dr. Philip Jaisohn was a pioneer of independence, democracy and public awakening for the Korean people. After the failed 1884 reformation movement, he was exiled to the United States, where he became the first Korean-born to become an American citizen. A graduate of Columbian Medical College, he practiced medicine in Washington, DC, later serving the U.S. government as a wartime physician. Both in Korea and in the United States, Dr. Jaisohn made relentless efforts for the independence of Korea. In 1895, he briefly went back to his native soil, where he founded the first Korean language newspaper. In 1919, he organized the Korean Independence campaign in Philadelphia. Dr. Jaisohn will be forever remembered as a leader of Korean community and a leading spirit of Korea’s democracy and modernization. . . [Inscriptions on adjacent statue:] Philip Jaisohn . 1864 - 1951 . The First Korean American . Pioneer for the Korean Independence and Democracy . . Philip Jaisohn loved his native land, Korea . Shook it from its slumbers . Roused the young and thundered at the old. . In exile, he embraced his adopted country . Served it with true devotion . Healed the sick and advanced science. . But he never forgot his native soil . Spared no effort for her freedom to the end of his life.. . [Translation in Korean (Hanjul) script.] . This historical marker was erected by Embassy of Korea. It is in Sheridan-Kalorama in Washington District of Columbia