Paul Wadey 정리

A Story of Friendship - Early Years of the Korea-UK Relationship

The timeline also includes selected events happening in Korea at the time for additional context

1901-1904

Imperial Legation Staff: (Spellings of names taken from their English letters to the Vaughan Williams family - Surrey History Center 6536/306, 6536/307, 6536/308) Key H Yee - (Yee, Kui hyun - Brother-in-law of Min Young Ton - Title: Attache) Yi Han Eung Y S Min - (Yu Sik Min, called ‘Young Min’) K S Kang - (Kui Seung Kang) K T Yun - (Title: 3rd Secretary)

The 6 Korean Diplomats take temporary Residence in Queen Victoria Street, the same stareet where the Korean Consul General, William Pritchard-Morgan owned property, namely the HQ of W. Pritchard Morgan & Co. in Queen Victoria Street, London. | | 10 July 1901 | Min Young Ton declares his readiness to present his credentials as Korea’s Imperial Envoy to the King Edward VII. | | 16 July 1901 | Min Young Ton meets King Edward VII at Marlborough House, residence of King Edward VII before the King moved into Buckingham Palace in 1901. | | 9 Aug 1901 | Min Young Ton and staff move into 4 Trebovir Road, Earl's Court, London. Next to the London residence of Lord Justice Sir Roland Bowdler Vaughan Williams (RBVW) and Lady Laura Susanna Vaughan Williams (LSVW) who reside at 6 Trebovir Road. Mrs Lillie Joly, English Tutor at Korea's Imperial Palace, Seoul and tutor to the Crown Prince is close friends with LSVW. | | Nov 1901 | Min Young Ton is also Ambassador to Italy, and so with Key H Yee they travel to Italy to present Min Young Ton' credentials to His Majesty the King of Italy. | | Dec 1901 | Min Young Ton, Key H Yee and possibly other Korean staff spend Christmas with the Vaughan Williams family at their country residence 'High Ashes', an estate in Leith Hill near Dorking in Surrey. | | Jan 1902 | Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902) signed by Marquess of Lansdowne, Foreign Secretary at Lansdowne House, London. Recognises Japan’s interests in Korea but Korea and China are still independent. | | Aug 1902 | Key H Yee spends time visiting 'High Ashes’ in Surrey to cure his depression. LSVW's daughter, Miss Noel Stephanie Vaughan Williams (b.1874) takes Yee to see the cattle market in Guildford, they cycle the 20km journey. Min Young Ton joins them and they go shooting in the Surrey Hills, hunting birds and rabbits. They listen to live music and walk in the gardens. | | Autumn 1902 | Min Young Ton and Key H Yee are excited to hear if they will return to Korea on holidays. They visit Richmond Park, London's largest deer park. | | 16 April 1903 | LSVW has a dinner with Y S Min - activities at the Legation are running smoothly. | | 19 Jun 1903 | Yi Han Eung is Charges D'affaires and KS Kang is supporting him. (Kang's return date is unknown) Yi spends the time lobbying the Foreign Office (FO) on matters relating to Korea. Min Young Ton, Key H Yee, YS Min leave London and sail for Korea on a 10 week journey. KT Yun may have already returned or is travelling with them. The diplomats sail nonstop to Port Said in Egypt on the small Steamer SS Kamakura Maru. YS Min takes photographs of the Suez Canal. They cross the Indian Ocean, travelling passed Yemen to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Seasickness confines YS Min and Min Young Ton to their cabins. The 3 Diplomats arrive in Singapore. The Diplomats arrive in Hong Kong, having passed Saigon and then China. Key H Yee expresses concern for the Legation and fears Yi Han Eung’s ability to maintain the housekeeping. A butler, named Foster has been employed to support Yi Han Eung and K S Kang. Edmund Foster was also the name of a member of staff who had worked with the Vaughan Williams family as a gardener and bailiff for the previous 30 years. | | 18 Aug 1903 | The Diplomats sail to Kobe, Japan, on route they start to hear rumours about Korea, rumours ‘too serious’ to write on paper. The Diplomats arrive in Seoul, Korea. | | Sept 1903 | Key H Yee is attending the Imperial Palace in Seoul every day and hopes to return to the UK by Christmas 1903, possibly taking the train through Siberia, thus reducing the journey time. | | Oct 1903 | In Korea: KT Yun has taken a position working as an engineer at the British Mining Concession, Gwendoline in Unsan, in modern day North Korea. Gwendoline was a concession jointly run by ‘Corean Consul General’ W. Morgan-Pritchard's company, based in Queen Victoria Street, London. Min Young Ton is trying to convince the Korean Foreign Ministry of the things he has learnt in London, but his suggestions are unwanted. YS Min wants to return to the UK to study. In London: YI Han Eung sends reports to Foreign Office (FO) to propose solutions to difficulties in Far East between Japan and Russia, with diagrams explaining the balance of power in the region. | | Nov 1903 | In Korea: KT Yun writes to LSVW to say that a war between Japan and Russia could cost Korea her independence. Key H Yee and Min Young Ton have few supporters in Seoul which is blocking their return to the UK.The diplomats hope that the Legation in London is still OK.
In London: YI Lobbies FO against Wiju becoming a free port. Wiju is a port on the Chinese side of the Yalu River.YI continues to lobby FO that Korea must have the right to produce its own money without interference from Japan or Russia | | Dec 1903 | His Excellency Ambassador Min Young Ton resigns, and so will not be returning to the UK. Mr. Kim is appointed as his successor. | | 2 Jan 1904 | 2nd Jan at 8am the Emperor’s Sister dies and all Koreans will be in mourning for 1 year, six days after the death. She was 73. But Govt. will only be in mourning for 27 days, however the poor people must wear a white hat and all white for one year. On the economy, everything is x4 more expensive than 1903 in Korea. Yee notes: ‘You can’t walk in Korea after dark as robbers snatch everything you have, burglary is very high, and the burglars have weapons and are killing people’. Japanese and American soldiers are already in Seoul. | | Feb 1904 | In Korea: Key H Yee says that diplomats who have been overseas are hated, because of jealousy of them. – he wants to leave Seoul desperately. Yee accepts Jordan’s job offer at the British Legation in Seoul and is glad of the experience. YS Min goes to Peking, where his father is Ambassador In Seoul there are: 20,000 Japanese Soldiers, 42 English, 100 American, 36 French, 36 Italians, 0 Russians
In London: YI lobbies for independence of Korea to be recognised as per Treaty of 1902- FO weren’t sure how they could help him. YI repeatedly lobbies the FO with suggested memorandums and requests that would guarantee Korea’s Independence. | | April 1904 | In Korea: Key H Yee accompanies the Emperor's Nephew on delegation to Tokio. Yee is appointed Master of Ceremonies at the Imperial Palace. In London: YI thanks FO on behalf of Korean Emperor, says UK marines assisted with the extinguishing of a fire at the Imperial Palace on 14th April 1904. | | May 1904 | Min Young Ton has been ill for a month Yee still working at the Legation in the day time and at the Palace from 4pm-10pm | | July 1904 | Key H Yee hopes that he can return to the UK to replace the ‘Secretary’ who repeatedly asks for a recall. Although Charge D’affaires, Yi Han Eung’s position was Secretary | | Aug 1904 | In Korea: Japan-Korea Treaty is signed In London: YI understands now that communications with Seoul are now controlled by Japan, chooses to send delicate messages through UK Legation in Seoul. | | Sept 1904 | In London: Yi states to UK/US Press in London that Seoul is free and the Japanese are just advisers, not a Protectorate. | | Oct 1904 | Yi urgently begs FO to ask Seoul to send a new Minister to the Legation before the winter prevents travel. | | Dec 1904 | Yi Han Eung writes to Lady Vaughan Williams to apologise for not attending her concert. He didn't attend because 'he doesn't understand the music'. Key H Yee is still Master of Ceremonies and complains about his servant. |

1905

| Jan 1905 | Japan sends UK their draft Peace terms for Russian–Japanese War - UK aware of Japanese Peace Terms, and that they include: ’Korea to come completely within the exclusive sphere of Japanese influence, her destiny under Japanese control’ | | --- | --- | | Feb 1905 | Yi finally meets Langley at FO (8th) to report that Korea urgently needs its Independence reasserted by the UK. Yi asks for FO assistance in sending private messages to Seoul via UK channels.Yi repeatedly calls on FO as the ‘Govt. of Korea chiefly depends upon the Anglo-Japanese Agreement 1902 for the maintenance and integrity and independence’.
He asks for UK to make a statement to support Korea. UK say they can’t issue a statement at this time. Korean Govt. instructs Yi to come to an understanding with UK Govt. to ‘insert an article in the Russian Japanese Peace Treaty that guarantees the Independence and integrity of the Corean Empire’.Yi sends private message to Seoul via FO on 24th Feb. | | March 1905 | When reviewing Yi’s request for meeting FO note that a meeting should be postponed until he hears from his Govt. Also saying he ’he knows nothing and his Govt. apparently pay no attention to him’YI continues to visit FO and writes to them, repeating that the terms of the 1902 treaty are the only thing that are preserving Korea’s Independence.
FO reply that discussing the Russia-Japan Peace Treaty in reference to Korea ‘will not have any useful results at this stage’. | | April 1905 | In Korea: Japan–Korea Protocol of April 1905 transfers responsibility and profits for postal, telegraph, and telephone services to Japan In London: YI writes to FO saying that his life has been threatened when walking in Hyde Park – Police investigate. He then spends Easter in Brighton and Dorking, staying with the Lord Justice Vaughan Williams family at High Ashes, Leith Hill, Dorking. Yi’s Butler, Foster tells the police that Yi had been depressed for some time, doesn’t leave the apartment for long periods and is in a state of melancholy. Yi’s doctor told him to go to the country to rest. | | May 1905 | In Korea: Lillie Joly says that Key H Yee has little chance of coming to the UK on a diplomatic posting as Japan is blocking all appointments. Min Young Ton's baby passes away.  **** In London: 3 May - French Ambassador asks Foreign Secretary Lansdowne if the UK is secretly negotiating a new Anglo-Japanese Alliance, he says discussions are happening. 10 May – Viscount Hayashi passes a draft copy of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty that no longer safe guards Korean Independence, to the Foreign Office 11 May - Yi Han Eung writes to Foreign Office to request a meeting and says he has recovered from his depression 11 May - Yi destroys a cypher (coded telegram) 12 May - Yi commits suicide in London by hanging, is discovered at 10am by servants – bedroom door unlocked 12 May – Yi requests that his ‘body is returned to Korea by Joint steamer’ 13 May – Daily Telegraph report the suicide by hanging 14 May – Korean Govt. ask for the body to be repatriated – no autopsy carried out26 May – In the Draft Treaty - UK recognises ‘Right of Japan to take such measures as she may deem right and necessary in order to safeguard her special political, military and economical interests in Korea is fully recognised by Great Britain’. UK also agrees to Japan establishing a Protectorate over Korea. | | June 1905 | Korean Consul General, W. Morgan-Pritchard registers Yi Han Eung's death with local authorities assumes role of Charges D'affaires. Key H Yee, YS Min, write to Lady Vaughan Williams express their shock at the news of Yi Han Eung's death | | July 1905 | Lillie Joly and the Korean Emperor send their condolences and gratitude to Lady Vaughan Williams for supporting Yi Han Eung | | Oct 1905 | Key H Yee is arrested and imprisoned by the Japanese for trying to travel to the UK with papers for UK officials from the Korean Emperor | | Dec 1905 | Pritchard-Morgan informs Lady Vaughan Williams that the Legation has been officially closed and his role as ‘Corean Consulate General [is] being withdrawn by treaty transfer’. All archives/records and property to be sent to the Japanese Legation. Acting Foreign Minister Yi Wan Yong thanks Pritchard-Morgan for his services. | | Jan 1906 | HT Kang comes from Paris and spends New Year’s Day and 2ndJan 1906 (Mon –Tues) clearing away the contents of the house. The properties of the Legation have been collected by the auctioneer (Phillips/ 73 New Bond Street.) as well as the books of late Yi Han Eung - to be sold at auction in London in February. Yi Han Eung’s family told Pritchard-Morgan to sell the personal items and send the money, this makes Kang sad. Kang packs 3 boxes to send to Yi’s family in Korea: 1x Box of clothes, 1x box of Uniform, 1x Studying Books Bishop Turner of Seoul wishes he had helped Yi Han Eung more when he was in London. | | 1907 | Key H Yee and his brother Kee Tae Yee return to the UK and stay with Lady Vaughan-Williams before seeking exile in China, too afraid to return to Korea for fear of Japanese reprisals. | | 1908-1910 | The Yee brothers continue to write weekly to Lady Vaughan Williams from China as their health deteriorates. |

1910 - 1936

| 1910 | Key H Yee writes from Shanghai and then Weihaiwei about the impact of the rumours that Korea will be annexed, and documents the financial hardship being felt in Korea. ‘I cannot tell you any more news of Corea because it makes me much too unhappy to write.’ Throughout the year Key H Yee keeps LSVW informed of the latest news from Korea and the suffering of the Korean people, Key H Yee’s health is impacted by worry. Key H Yee notes that Bishop Turner had previously stopped the police when they had harassed Key Tae Yee and he worries for Tae if the Bishop dies. Key H Yee asks LSVW’s son Roland Vaughan Williams to help. Key Tae Yee is in Seoul and has received a book from Lady Vaughan Williams. Key H Yee also receives books from LSVW. | | --- | --- | | 1911 | Roland Vaughan Williams asks the new bishop in Korea to look out for Key Tae Yee. Key H Yee notes that the Yee and Min families have lost their titles, Key H Yee is looking for work as a Customs Clerk in China and asks Roland to help. Lily Joly thanks LSVW for sending books. Key H Yee sends items and fabrics to Roland for his wife. | | 1912 | Key Tae Yee returns to Weihaiwei with a message from British Consul General Henry Bonar. “The Consul kindly told Tae that he had letters from Mr Roland and his friend at the Foreign Office and he also told Tae to tell me to return to Corea because I shall be perfectly safe.” Roland sends a telegram confirming that it is safe for Key He Yee to return to Korea, Key H Yee writes that the Vaughan Williams family have saved many lives: “Indeed we never do know how to thank you and the very very kind judge and Mr Roland for all the everlasting kindness to us. It is truly but you and the very kind judge and Mr Roland do know all about our affairs, no one else in all the world. Really it is much too kind of you all that you have taken no end of trouble always for us. Certainly if you have not had taken the trouble how could we have been so safe and we shall be safe in Corea when we returned. And therefore you all have saved a number of lives”. | | 1913 | In November Lily Joly writes that the Yee brothers are both in Seoul but very unwell. | | 1914 | Key H Yee has written many times to LSVW but has not had any replies. Key H Yee seeks LSVW advice on returning to China for work. | | 1915 | Key H Yee is still looking for work in China and speculates whether the British government may want his services as a spy gathering intelligence. | | 1919 | The war has meant that the Yee brother’s have not heard from LSVW and Roland for a long time. Key H Yee writes to say that Min Young Ton has died. | | 1920 | Key H Yee explains more of the circumstances leading to the death of Min Young Ton and the heartache of his niece Kab Wan Min. “We are all well; but not a bit happy. In the year of 1906 Min Yung Ton's daughter [Kab Wan Min]  had had engaged with the Prince who is at present in Japan (the heir of the late Korean Emperor) to be married. Suddenly in February 1918 a number of the Palace attendants & policeman had rushed in to my house & my sister's house and demanded and forced us to return the betrothal for days and nights because the Prince must be married with one of the Japanese Princess. At last we of course could not do anything else but we had to return it. Soon after the trouble, poor Min Yung Ton has got illness and died of the broken heart & unhappiness. He worried & worried of his poor daughter until the last minute. His house and the poor girl is absolutely ruined.  The poor girl is in mourn the loss of her poor father. She is very unhappy poor thing.” | | 1921 | Key H Yee is in Shanghai and asks Roland to assist in finding him work. Key H Yee brings Key Tae Yee and Kab Wan Min out of Korea and to Shanghai. Key H Yee explains some of the hardships Koreans face if they are detained in Korea. | | 1932 | Key Tae Yee (now using the name William) writes to Roland informing him that Key H Yee passed away from heart disease on 27 July 1932. Key Tae Yee asks for financial support to look after Kab Wan Min. | | 1933 | On Sept. 30 1933 Key Tae Yee thanks Roland for sending money to help Kab Wan Min. Key Tae Yee also notes that Key H Yee was using the name Wellington in later life. | | 1936 | On Sept. 30 1936, Key Tae Yee writes again to thank Roland for previously sending money and notes how lonely he has been since Key H Yee passed away. “My niece and I very often talk about your everlasting kindness. I read your letters over again and again. Oh! They are very kind indeed and make me so pleased.” |