The Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) has launched a campaign to honor foreign independence activists Homer Hulbert and Ernest Bethell, who played a crucial role in the return of Korea’s National Treasure, the Ten-Story Stone Pagoda of Gyeongcheonsa. The initiative also seeks to raise awareness about the issue of looted cultural heritage that has yet to be returned.
As visitors enter the lobby of the National Museum of Korea, they are immediately greeted by the towering presence of the Ten-Story Stone Pagoda of Gyeongcheonsa.
Designated as National Treasure No. 86, the pagoda was built in 1348 during the Goryeo Dynasty and reflects the worldview of its era. A fusion of Goryeo’s traditional Buddhist pagoda style and foreign influences from the Yuan Dynasty, its unique marble structure sets it apart from other existing stone pagodas in Korea, making it a highly significant cultural relic.
However, this invaluable artifact suffered a tumultuous history due to looting by Japan and its subsequent restitution.
In 1907, Tanaka Mitsuyaki, Japan’s Minister of the Imperial Household, visited Korea as a special envoy to congratulate Crown Prince Sunjong on his wedding. Aware of the pagoda’s historical value, Tanaka requested it as a gift during an audience with Emperor Gojong. However, the emperor firmly declined, stating that cultural artifacts belonged to the people and could not be taken elsewhere.
Undeterred, Tanaka dispatched armed Japanese forces to Gyeongcheonsa, where they threatened local residents and officials before dismantling and illegally transporting the pagoda to Japan. When rumors of the plunder spread, Tanaka denied any involvement or falsely claimed that Emperor Gojong had gifted it to him.
The return of the looted Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda would not have been possible without the efforts of two foreign independence activists: British journalist Ernest Bethell and American educator Homer Hulbert.
In March 1907, Bethell, founder of The Korea Daily News (Daehan Maeil Shinbo), was the first to expose the looting in both the Korean and English editions of his newspaper. Over the next several months, he published more than ten articles and editorials condemning Japan’s actions and raising awareness among readers.
In response, Japan’s pro-government newspaper The Japan Mail dismissed Bethell’s reports as baseless accusations. At this point, Hulbert, another foreign advocate for Korea’s independence, personally investigated the site of the looting, collected testimonies from local residents, and obtained photographic evidence. He then submitted an article titled “Atrocities in Korea” to The Japan Chronicle, a Kobe-based English-language newspaper, presenting his findings in detail.
Hulbert compared Tanaka’s actions to stealing Admiral Nelson’s statue from Trafalgar Square in London and issued a strong demand for Japan to promptly return Korea’s cultural treasure. Even The Japan Chronicle criticized the looting and urged the Japanese government to take responsibility, marking the first instance of a Japanese media outlet publicly acknowledging the plunder.
Despite mounting pressure, Tanaka refused to return the pagoda, prompting Hulbert to escalate the issue on the global stage. As a delegate to the 1907 Hague Peace Conference, he exposed Japan’s unjust actions, including the looting of the Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda. His speech was widely reported in international media, including The Hague Peace Conference Journal, newspapers in New Zealand, The New York Post, and The New York Times. The global backlash was so intense that even Japanese diplomats advised their government to return the pagoda.
Ultimately, in 1918—eleven years after it was plundered—Japan repatriated the Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda to Korea.
Had it not been for Bethell’s relentless reporting and Hulbert’s investigative efforts and international advocacy, Korea’s treasured artifact might have remained forgotten in a foreign land.
Yet, despite the significance of this history, public awareness remains limited. While the National Museum of Korea provides some information on the pagoda’s history and restoration, the descriptions are brief, and references to Hulbert and Bethell are minimal. Although additional details can be found on the museum’s website, they are not easily accessible to visitors.
The struggles surrounding the Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda not only reflect Korea’s historical plight but also highlight the dedication of foreign independence activists who sought to protect both the nation’s cultural heritage and sovereignty. This history underscores the ongoing necessity of repatriating looted cultural artifacts that remain abroad.
To honor the contributions of foreign independence activists and advocate for the return of stolen cultural assets, VANK has launched a campaign to promote the efforts of Hulbert and Bethell.
Through this initiative, VANK hopes to bring greater recognition to the role these figures played in the return of the Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda and to encourage public engagement in the issue of looted cultural heritage.
In addition to this campaign, VANK is actively working on global initiatives to commemorate foreign independence activists who supported Korea’s cause. The organization is also pursuing projects such as erecting a statue of Homer Hulbert in the United States to ensure that their legacy is preserved and honored worldwide.