VANK (Voluntary Agency Network of Korea), together with the Han Culture Foundation, has launched a campaign to honor Dr. Homer Hulbert, a “foreign Eulsa hero” who dedicated his life to Korea’s independence. Hulbert, who first arrived in Korea in 1896 as a teacher at the country’s first Western-style school, Yugyeong Gongwon, became closely associated with Emperor Gojong. During the Eulsa Treaty crisis, he was appointed as Gojong’s special envoy to the United States to protest the treaty’s illegitimacy and appeal for international support. Although his diplomatic efforts were hindered by the U.S.-Japan Katsura-Taft Agreement, Hulbert continued to raise awareness of Korea’s plight through international journalism and publications, notably The Passing of Korea.
In 1907, Hulbert played a key role in Gojong’s attempt to annul the treaty by joining the secret mission to the Hague Peace Conference, where he collaborated with Yi Sang-seol, Yi Jun, and Yi Wi-jong. While Japan blocked their official participation, Hulbert exposed Japan’s colonial crimes to the world through media and diplomatic channels. His work influenced prominent Korean independence activists such as Min Young-hwan and Ahn Jung-geun, who praised Hulbert as a steadfast advocate for Korea’s independence.
Through this campaign, VANK has officially recognized Hulbert as a “foreign Eulsa hero” and is working to raise awareness of his achievements both in Korea and abroad. VANK is also calling for Hulbert’s state honor to be upgraded from the 3rd Class (Independence Medal) to the 1st Class (Order of Merit for National Foundation – Republic of Korea Medal), acknowledging his invaluable contributions.
The campaign includes a specially designed poster that highlights Hulbert’s resistance against the Eulsa Treaty and his efforts as a journalist and special envoy, featuring his interviews with The New York Times and the original appointment letter from Emperor Gojong for the Hague mission. These materials are freely available for download on VANK’s official website and Flickr.
VANK Director Park Ki-tae emphasized that Hulbert’s dedication should inspire global citizens to support justice and peace beyond their own nations. Lee Jung-woo, a youth researcher leading the campaign, added that Hulbert’s unwavering efforts to expose the illegitimacy of the treaty make him a true “foreign Eulsa hero.” Through this campaign, VANK aims to bring greater international recognition to foreign independence activists and their contributions to Korea’s liberation, especially in the context of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s independence.