Behind every man is…

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Wed, November 29, 2023 | 05:44

Behind every man is…

Posted : 2023-06-19 10:35

Updated : 2023-06-20 11:00

Awaiting judgement in the past Robert Neff Collection

By Robert Neff

There is an old saying ― perhaps frowned upon in these enlightened times ― that behind every great man is a great woman. A person's success is often due to the assistance of their partner ― and this seems to be true, even in crime.

In 1896, the authorities in Seoul and Jemulpo (modern Incheon) began a harsh crackdown on fortunetellers, diviners, palm readers, prophets, sorceresses and shamans. Seoul's jails were filled with these poor individuals who, despite claiming to see into the future, were unable to predict their own arrests.

The police in Jemulpo, not to be outdone by their metropolitan brethren, also began a crackdown. According to The Independent, a newspaper published in Seoul:

"A few days ago a mudang (shaman) was raising a disturbance in a house at the port and the police promptly stopped it, but the mayor, Im O-chun, at the instigation of his concubine, called the policemen and rated them for enforcing the rule."

Of course, the editor of the newspaper, Seo Jai-pil (Philip Jaisohn) took great offense at the mayor's concubine wielding so much power ― not just over her lover, but even the law ― and had no qualms with printing the article and suggested the police would "have a hard road to travel" if they had to receive the approval of officials' concubines to perform their duties.

Apparently, Mayor Im occasionally read The Independent and he was not pleased that his personal (and official) business had been so brazenly presented to the general public. He persuaded (perhaps with threats or cash) some of his friends to pay a visit to the newspaper and have the editor retract his statement as being "erroneous." Although the subsequent articles did not elaborate in what manner they urged the editor to correct his errors, we can probably assume it was through threats (physical or political).

The editor refused. Shortly afterwards the paper reported:

"Now, we are informed that the Magistrate levied a special tax on the people for the benefit of these men who were sent to the Independent in his behalf. His friends collected $56 from the people in [Jemulpo] and were trying to collect more but the Magistrate was dismissed and the scheme was broken up."

The editor, somewhat gleefully, added that he was now more than ever convinced that the allegations of the magistrate being "influenced by his concubine in deciding law cases" was "absolutely true" and he congratulated the residents of the port for ridding themselves of such a corrupt official.

It is a shame that we are left to wonder if the magistrate's concubine was still behind him when he fell from grace ― or did she seek another man to help?

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.

robertneff04@gmail.com