Yi Chae-yeon

Yi Chae-yeon (1861–1900) came from Chilgok and entered official service after passing the lower civil examination in 1886. Work at Jejungwon hospital brought him into contact with Horace Allen and gave him opportunities to learn English. He continued language study in the foreign affairs office and joined Park Jeong-yang's first permanent mission to Washington as a translator in 1887. ¹

After temporary leave in Korea, Yi returned to Washington and eventually became chargé d'affaires. He sought American assistance with postal services and a railway linking Seoul with Chemulpo, hoping that American involvement would help Korea resist pressure from other powers. In discussing the railway, he expressed confidence in American investors and concern about the strategic ambitions of competing foreign builders. ²

Yi and his wife, Lady Yi of the Seongju Bae clan, directed improvements to the legation house after Gojong purchased it in 1891. They also developed an educational connection with Roanoke College. Yi met its president, Julius Dreher, at the legation in March 1892; the couple then spent a week inspecting the college's teaching and accommodation. Korean students began enrolling in 1894, establishing a connection that continued for decades. ³

Back in Korea, Yi became mayor of Hanseong, the capital, in 1896. He worked on road improvement, electric tram construction, public sanitation, and education. He subsequently held judicial and land survey responsibilities and joined the office revising laws in 1900, the year of his death. ¹