The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-18
ROMANTIC RISE or 4 DIPLOMAT.
KOreR's New Minister Once n LabOrer
in Washington.
From the Philadelphia Press.

From the Philadelphia Press.
Washington Feb. Pom Kwang Sob.
the new Korean minister TO the United
States, who has arrived at San Fran
cisco on his way to Washington, has a
deeply interesting and romantic history
Although not more than 80 years of age,
he has already passed through two bloody
revolutions in his own country, and
through a not less trying siege of poverty
ana exile in foreign land. The history
of his life will rival many of the stories
of the Arabian Nights.
Minister Sob is of the purest Korean
blood, Of noble birth and wealthy par
entage. In early youth, having completed
the limited education that his own cOun-
try afforded, his restless nature longed
for the broader life and education offered
by the new star of the east-Japan. Fol
lowing this impulse, young Sob, together
with some half dozen Korean youths of his
own age, entered a Japanese institution
OF learning where ne became familiar with
the philosophy and particularly with the
statescraft of this wonderful nation.
After four years life in Japan, with new
ideas and new ambitions, the little band
of students returned to Korea and made
a bold attempt to introduce reforms into
the internal administration of the king
dom. But the same Old cry OF the age
was raised. The attempt to reform abuses
was called rebellion against the ruling
powers, and the young students barely es-
capped with their lives to a Japanese man.
of-war. A price was set upon young Sohs
head, and his large estates were confis-
Gated.
From Japan the young exile sailed to
America; and here in Washington he serv-
ed an apprenticeship to poverty with
a courage, a fortitude and a philosophy
that marked him as one of natures no
blemen.
He early acquired American citizenship
and was appointed to the position of la
borer in the department of education at
the salary Of $50 per month. And for five
or six years Pom X. Sob served this gov
eminent to which he is now accredited
as minister in the humble capacity of la
borer.
While in Washington the exile was
entirely unknown in official circles; he
occupied at times humble apartments
costing him s. or Sc per month. But at all
times he had a few warm friends such
as his quiet, genial manners, his studiOus
habits and his noble nature attracted to
him. He was an assidious student and
had knowledge of the English, French
and German languages in addition to those
of Korea, China and Japan. He was a
student of all religions, and was a firm
believer in the eastern doctrine of Kar-
ma-that we reap what we SOW, neither
more nor less; that each mans life is
the fruit of his own past-and, believing
tunes or of fate.
Mr.. Sob was thoroughly American in
dress and in NOSE Of his habits Of life
the exception of slight mustache: and
upon the streets he would scarcely be
taken for foreigner.
on the opening of the Chinese-Japan-
ese war ne quietly resigned his place at
Washington and sailed for Japan, say
ing that the only salvation to Korea was
the conquerors; and when peace was es-
tabfished ne was appointed to a high pO-
sition in the department of justice OF
Korea.
And now the humble hero returns a
victor. The naturalized citizen becomes
the highest representative of a foreign
kingdom. The laborer becomes minister
plenipotentiary and the humble apart
ment is changed to one of the most
palatial residences in Washington.