An Sang-ho and Kim Ik-nam, Government-Funded Joseon Students: A Record of Divergent Choices

An Sang-ho, the first government-funded student of the Korean Empire, and his peer Kim Ik-nam studied together at Tokyo Jikei Hospital Medical College. Although they went to Japan to study at the same time, they later chose diametrically opposite paths, leading divergent lives.

Their student days took place during the tumultuous period of the Korean Empire, and their subsequent choices left significant marks on modern Korean history.

Kim Ik-nam returned to the Korean Empire immediately after three years of study, while An Sang-ho remained in Japan for nine years despite Emperor Gojong's three directives to return.

This difference in return timing greatly influenced the values and subsequent actions of the two figures. Various conjectures have been made regarding the background of An Sang-ho's prolonged stay in Japan.

Kim Ik-nam was recognized for his excellent medical skills, graduating as the top student during his studies abroad. Upon his return, he refused the medical license offered by Japan and went to Manchuria, dedicating his life to the independence movement by working as a specialist doctor at the Shinheung Military Academy.

Kim Ik-nam's actions, choosing the path for his nation rather than personal comfort when the country fell, became an example for many. He used his medical knowledge to train and support independence fighters, striving for national independence.

An Sang-ho could not understand Kim Ik-nam, who gave up his medical qualification to dedicate himself to the independence movement. He disparaged Kim Ik-nam, calling him a 'fool,' revealing his contrasting values.

An Sang-ho's attitude offers a glimpse into his values, which prioritized personal success and comfort. He found it difficult to accept Kim Ik-nam's choice to refuse the opportunities offered by Japan.

An Sang-ho opened a hospital called 'An Sang-ho Clinic' in Jongno 3-ga, creating the first Western-style medical clinic established by a Korean during the Japanese colonial period. This held significant meaning for Koreans at the time.

His clinic provided many Korean patients with access to Western medicine and played a crucial role in the medical environment of that era.

An Sang-ho maintained a special relationship with Prince Ui Kang, Emperor Gojong's son, having spent their school years together. However, the possibility that Japan used An Sang-ho to monitor Yi Kang has been raised.

Some suggest that An Sang-ho reported every move of Prince Ui Kang under instructions from the Japanese side, leading to various interpretations of his actions.

At the age of 35, An Sang-ho remarried Kawaguchi Isoko, the daughter of a prominent Japanese family, the Mori family. The Mori family was one of the four major families of Japan's Meiji Restoration era, and she was known as the daughter of a Japanese general working for the Joseon Governor-General's Office at the time.

This marriage is a significant indicator that An Sang-ho formed deep connections with the upper echelons of Japanese society. It suggests that his personal life was intertwined with the political situation of the time.

An Sang-ho married Kawaguchi Isoko, but her identity (whether she was the daughter of a high-ranking Japanese military official) is uncertain. The matchmaker for this marriage was Gu Yong-seo, the son-in-law of Song Byeong-jun. Gu Yong-seo is implicated in the assassination of Queen Min, arranging An Sang-ho's marriage, and the arrest of independence activist Kang Woo-kyu.

The fact that Gu Yong-seo was involved in An Sang-ho's marriage suggests that An Sang-ho likely had close ties with pro-Japanese factions at the time. This further fuels the controversy surrounding his pro-Japanese activities.

An Sang-ho returned to Joseon as Emperor Sunjong's entrusted physician, or personal doctor. This occurred after Emperor Gojong had urged his return three times, but An Sang-ho had refused.

The young boy in the photo later grew up to be An Bu-ho of Sorokdo Hospital. An Bu-ho is known to be a descendant of An Sang-ho and is Ha-yeong's grandfather.

On December 22, 1909, independence activist Lee Jae-myeong attacked Lee Wan-yong, who was on his way to attend the memorial service for King Leopold II of Belgium. During this incident, Park Won-mun, a rickshaw puller who tried to block Lee Jae-myeong, was fatally stabbed in the abdomen, a tragic event.

Lee Jae-myeong stabbed Lee Wan-yong three times, severely injuring him, and this incident is recorded as one of the important acts of resistance during the Japanese colonial period. This incident was a symbolic event that represented the resentment of the nation at the time.

During the Lee Wan-yong assassination attempt, An Sang-ho was one of six medical professionals who treated Lee Wan-yong. While other classmates refused to treat Lee Wan-yong, An Sang-ho took charge of Lee Wan-yong's surgery and treatment, saving his life.

For the next three years, An Sang-ho made house calls to Lee Wan-yong's home, overseeing his recovery. Lee Wan-yong suffered from lung disease complications from this incident for 17 years until his death in 1926, and An Sang-ho's treatment played a decisive role in extending his life. This point becomes a key basis for the controversy surrounding An Sang-ho's pro-Japanese activities.

Interestingly, December 22, the date of activist Lee Jae-myeong's assassination attempt on Lee Wan-yong, coincidentally matches the birth registration date of current Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. This has led to perspectives that connect the names and symbolism of the two figures.

Some even claim there is an unintentional link between activist Lee Jae-myeong's dying words and President Lee Jae-myung's current actions. However, this can be interpreted as a mere coincidence unrelated to historical facts.