Early Roots of Western Medicine and a Pioneer of Social Work in Korea: Dr. Kung Sun Oh (1878–1963)

www.eymj.org Kung Sun Oh was born on October 4, 1878 in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, Korea. His pen name Hae Gwan (海 觀) means “to see the world in humanity” (Fig. 1). Prior to the emergence of Western medicine in Korea, two Koreans had ventured off to learn the practice thereof in the US: Jaipil Soh (Philip Jaisohn in English, 1864–1951) and Jeomdong Kim (Esther Park in English, 1876–1910). Jaipil Soh studied at George Washington University School of Medicine and returned to Korea to lead independence movements against Japan. As a naturalized citizen of the US, he eventually moved back to within its borders. Dr. Esther Park completed her studies at Baltimore Women’s Medical School, returning to Korea to continue her medical practice. Unfortunately, she passed away from tuberculosis at the early age of 34. In 1896, seeking new knowledge from the American missionaries, Kung Sun Oh entered the Pai Chai Hak Dang, the cradle of modern learning in Korea at the time. Later, in 1897, he joined the Independence Club and was appointed secretary. After less than one year, however, the club was disbanded for activity perceived to be treasonous against the Korean government. In 1899, with a warrant now out for his arrest for his involvement in the Independence Club, Kung Sun Oh would flee to the home of Frederick W. Steadman (1871–1948), a missionary from the US. At that time, Kung Sun Oh would teach Pastor Steadman Korean and become involved in missionary activities. After resolving his arrest warrant, Kung Sun Oh resumed his studies at the Pai Chai Hak Dang, graduating in March 1900. After graduating, he continued to help his benefactor, Pastor Steadman. Before Steadman left for Japan in 1901, he introduced Kung Sun Oh to US medical missionary Alexander John A. Alexander. Dr. Alexander was newly appointed as director at Gunsan Yasogyo Hospital, in which Yasogyo means Christianity, at the age of 27. Born in Kentucky to a rancher-tycoon, Dr. Alexander studied at Princeton University and graduated from the Columbia University School of Medicine in New York. In November 1902, only a month into his work as hospital director, Alexander received news of his father’s death. The following year, he would return home to lead the family’s horsebreeding business. Back in the US, Dr. Alexander continued to support the building of hospitals and schools in Korea to overcome the woeful medical state he left behind. Importantly, he continued to take a special interest in cultivating native Korean doctors. Indeed, Early Roots of Western Medicine and a Pioneer of Social Work in Korea: Dr. Kung Sun Oh (1878–1963)