Can you see the stone post? Yes, This is the site of the house of Ernest Bethell, a fellow Brit like myself. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting Bethell. It’s because he passed away long before I came here. But many Koreans remember Bethell as a good Brit. Some of them even remember the newspaper that Bethell established, 〈〉 〈Korea Daily News〉.

Bethell was a British journalist. In Korea, he issued 〈〉 〈Korea Daily News〉, which was in Korean, as well as 〈Korea Daily Mail〉, which was in English.

It's said that there is a reason why Koreans have special feelings for this newspaper. It's related to a couple of incidents; namely, Eulsa Unwilling Treaty or Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905. The treaty allowed the Japanese to rob Korea of its diplomatic sovereignty. Jang Ji-yeon, enraged by this incident, issued an article called '' 'Si Il ya Bangseong Daegok' which means 'I Wail Bitterly Today' in 〈〉 〈Hwangseong Sinmun〉, but the Japanese stopped his article from being issued. However, 〈〉 〈Korea Daily News〉 took the article and published it.

Also, the handwritten letter of King Gojong to the international society that claims the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905 as null and void was published in 〈〉 〈Korea Daily News〉. At that time, Japan lied that King Gojong endorsed this treaty, but the newspaper called them right out.

Also, 〈〉 〈Korea Daily News〉 led the National Debt Repayment Movement that began in Daegu in 1907. This movement began with the idea of earning independence with the full payment of loans granted by Japan, and it quickly spread across the nation. Newspaper articles and names of people who made donations to the newspaper significantly helped the movement. Although the movement failed because of Japan's sabotage, this movement that involved tens of thousands of people ignited the passion for independence.

As such, 〈〉 〈Korea Daily News〉 was a nuisance to Japan, but they couldn't do anything because Bethell was a British, a citizen of an allied nation. In the difficult time, 〈〉 〈Korea Daily News〉 was a medium that helped Koreans to breathe. In the end, Japan amended the Newspaper Act to control foreigner-issued newspapers and pressured the British Consulate General of Korea to press charges against Bethell, giving him a hard time with trials. Not long after that, Bethell passed away.

Oh, it's also said that Bethell lived in a hanok. Quite a few foreigners fall in love with the charms of hanok.

We would have been great friends if we ever met in Korea. What a shame. But I'm glad that we can find Bethell's footprints from this stone post. Now, let's travel down along the fortress walls from Bethell's House.