Ms. Paek, Seon Haeng (1848-May 8, 1933) and Noblesse Oblige
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.11.72Abstract
This paper discusses the life of Ms. Paek, Seon Haeng who was a widow and a rich woman in the Japanese colonized period. Her whole life was noble and influential in Korean modern history. On May 13, 1933 there was a crowd of more than 150 000 people at the riverside of Taedong River. They were in the funeral procession of Pyongyang in memory of Ms. Paek, Seon Haeng who had devoted her whole life to loftiness. She had donated all her wealth to national education.
This essay reviews the patriotic life of Ms. Paek, Seon Haeng under the colonial rule of Japanese imperialism to highlight the value of life dedicated to national education. With a view in avoiding the difference in the interpretation of the North and South Korea's history. I have made reference mainly to the daily news of Dong-a-ilbo (1925-1933) as primary sources. In the first chapter, I dealt with Ms. Paek, Seon Haeng’s life and trials in her early years and in the next her first charity for building ‘Paekseon Bridge’. In the chapter 3, I wrote about her devotion to education. Ms. Paek, Seon Haeng’s devotion to education was originated from her anti-Japanese, patriotic inclination. She made donations to private schools, which then served as a base for national education. This reflects her anti-Japanese, patriotic mindset. In the chapter 4, I dealt with “Paek, Seon Haeng Memorial Hall” and Her Patriotism. The noble life of Ms, Paek Seon Haeng is recorded in history because her life was a laudable one, and became rich braving through all poverty and trials in her widowed life and rendered devoted service to the nation and her country. How one has earned his or her money is important; however, how one has spends his or her money is much more important. .In conclusion, Ms, Paek Seon Haeng is a representative woman who lived like a nobles oblige in the Korean modern history. I hope this essay will contribute to spotlighting the Noblesse Oblige of Ms. Paek of Pyongyang woman who devoted her patriotic life to national education with her love for the nation and her country.
Keywords: Paek, Seon Haeng, Noblesse Oblige, Pyongyang, Japan, Korea, Dong-a-ilbo
References
“From young widow to great social activist”, Dong-a-ilbo, May 10,1933.
“Life of the Late Ms. Paek Seon Haeng” Dong-a-ilbo, May 10, 1933.
“Paek, Seon Haeng behind the bars”, Magazine Donggwang, January 1931.
“Life of the late Ms. Paek, Seon Haeng” II, Dong-a-ilbo, May 11, 1933.
“The strong is woman” Seennyosong, Dong-a-ilbo , February 1933.
Refer to the ordinances of Japanese Government-General as primary information: 1). “Ordinance on Private schools” (Ordinance of Government-General No. 62) in September 1, 1908. 2). the 1st “Ordinance on Education in Korea” (Ordinance of Government-General No. 229) in August 1911.
“Rules and Regulation for Private schools” (Ordinance of Government-General No.114) in October 21, 1911. 4) the revision of the “Rules and Regulation for Private schools” (Ordinance of Government-General No. 24) in March 24, 1915. 5) “Rules and Regulations for Propagation of Religion” (Ordinance of Government-General No. 83) in August 16, 1915. 6) “Brainwashing through Education” in January 1916. Refer the other documents of Japanese Government-General in Korea: Yoon Geon Hoom, Modern Education and Ideological Movement in Korea, (Publishing House of Tokyo University, 1982), 426.
“80-year-old Widow’s Fervor for Education”, Dong-a-ilbo, February 28, 1925.
“Gwangseong school Authorized on the 16th” Dong-a-ilbo, March 19, 1927
“Dark Cloud over Gwangseong school”, Dong-a-ilbo, July 2, 1924.
“Foundation of Pyongyang Soonghyeon girl’s school Approved” Dong-a-ilbo, September 12, 1934.
“Ms. Paek’s Generosity”, Dong-a-ilbo, October 26, 1925.
“New Songin School Building under Construction”, Dong-a-ilbo, April 10, 1924.
“Foundation for Changdeok school in Taedong County”, Dong-a-ilbo, August 15, 1931.
“Condolers Misled by Groundless Rumor”, Dong-a-ilbo, March 21, 1928.
“Life of the late Ms. Paek, Seon Haeng” III, Dong-a-ilbo, May 12, 1933.
“From young widow to great social activist”, Dong-a-ilbo, May 10, 1933.
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