U.S. College Students Advocate for Higher Recognition of Homer Hulbert’s Contributions to Korean Independence
A group of American college students is spearheading a global campaign to raise the official recognition of Dr. Homer Hulbert, a U.S. citizen who dedicated himself to Korea’s independence a century ago. As part of their efforts, they have sent a letter to the Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, urging for an upgrade in his national honor.
Michelle Bradley (23) and Bryan McAniff (22), students at the University of Hawaii, learned about Dr. Hulbert while participating in VANK’s volunteer program, which promotes Korea worldwide. Inspired by his legacy, they now aspire to become the “second Hulbert” in strengthening U.S.-Korea relations.
Dr. Hulbert first arrived in Korea in 1886 as an instructor at Yukyeong-gongwon, Korea’s first modern educational institution. Throughout his 38 years of commitment, he published 20 books and over 300 papers advocating for Korea’s independence and correcting historical distortions in the international community.
Michelle and Bryan are participants in the Korean Language Flagship (KLF) program, a U.S. government-supported initiative that trains Korea specialists. As part of this program, they have traveled to Korea for a one-year immersion program at Korea University. Since 2012, VANK has collaborated with Korea University to offer internship opportunities for KLF students.
During their internship, the students focused on producing content to highlight Dr. Hulbert’s achievements globally. Through this work, they became convinced of the need to formally petition for a higher level of national honor for him.
In her letter to Minister Kang Jung-ae, Michelle Bradley expressed her newfound admiration for Dr. Hulbert:
> “I learned about Dr. Hulbert through VANK. Like me, he was an American deeply interested in Korea, yet before my internship, I had never heard of him.”
She emphasized that his legacy should be recognized on a wider scale, as his efforts in disseminating accurate information about Korea to the world still hold significance today.
> “Dr. Hulbert was an influential writer who corrected misconceptions about Korea and fought against historical distortions. His dedication to promoting Korean culture and history deserves greater recognition.”
Michelle concluded her letter with a request to the Korean government:
> “Dr. Hulbert, who made immense contributions to Korea 100 years ago, deserves proper recognition. I urge you to elevate his national honor and support the establishment of a Homer Hulbert statue in his hometown in Vermont.”
Bryan McAniff, in his letter to Minister Kang, conveyed his astonishment at how little-known Dr. Hulbert remains outside of Korea:
> “Have you ever heard of someone who loved Korea more than Koreans themselves? Before coming to Korea, I knew nothing about this incredible individual. Neither did most of my friends. I was shocked. How could such an inspiring figure be so overlooked? From that moment, I decided to share the story of Homer B. Hulbert with the world. I hope you can feel the same passion I have for him as you read this letter.”
Bryan also underscored the necessity of upgrading Dr. Hulbert’s recognition:
> “In 1950, the Korean government posthumously awarded Dr. Hulbert the Order of Merit for National Foundation, making him the first foreign recipient. However, given his lifelong devotion to Korean independence, he deserves the highest honor. His current third-class medal should be upgraded to the first-class Grand Order of Mugunghwa.”
Through their advocacy, Michelle and Bryan hope to ensure that Dr. Hulbert’s legacy is acknowledged not only in Korea but also on a global scale. Their campaign reflects a growing international interest in preserving and honoring those who contributed to Korea’s independence.
2023