Soh Kwang-pom
Soh Kwang-pom (1859–August 13, 1897) was a Korean reformist and politician of Korea's late Joseon Dynasty.
Soh Kwang-Pom, sometimes Pom Kwang Soh, was the Minister of Justice, a Korean minister to the United States, an envoy to the Queen's Jubilee and a one-time political refugee and exile.[1]
Kwang-Pom was born into an aristocratic family of Korea and rose quickly through the political ranks. He was sent to Washington as an attache of the Korean Legation, but returned to Korea to take part in a temporarily successful revolution. That was overthrown and he was forced to return to America where he spent 10 years in exile, working for a time as a messenger in the Bureau of Education making a very modest salary. He was recalled to Korea where he was named Minister of Justice, where he led several important reforms. He was then sent London as the Korean envoy to the Jubilee before returning to Korea to become a privy councilor to the King of Korea. He was sent back to Washington as an envoy where he served as Minister.[1]
He died on August 13, 1897 in Washington, DC after an illness of a few days following his collapse after a bicycle ride. His remains were cremated.[1]
References
- "Pom Kwang Soh Dead". The Washington Post. 14 August 1897.