Summary of "[JTBC] 한국에 바친 생명과 사랑 - 윌리엄 스크랜턴"
[JTBC] 한국에 바친 생명과 사랑 - 윌리엄 스크랜턴
The video presents an in-depth historical and biographical account of William Scranton, a largely forgotten American Methodist medical missionary who dedicated his life and work to the people of Joseon (Korea) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Key Points Covered
Rediscovery of William Scranton
William Scranton was a Yale and Columbia-educated doctor who chose to abandon his privileged American life to serve as a missionary in Joseon starting in 1885. His passionate missionary letters and reports, recently rediscovered, reveal his deep love for the Korean people and his significant role in the early Methodist mission in Korea.
Historical Context
Joseon was a nation in turmoil, with sovereignty threatened and the poor and marginalized suffering from lack of medical care and social neglect. Scranton’s work took place amid these difficult circumstances, paralleling the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing love for one’s neighbor.
Missionary Work and Medical Service
Scranton arrived in Joseon with Henry Appenzeller, another key missionary. He initially worked at Jejungwon hospital in Seoul but soon left the relatively safe foreign district to provide free medical treatment to the poor in more marginalized areas outside the city gates, including places like Seodaemun Aeok Hill and Namdaemun Market.
Language and Cultural Integration
Scranton learned to speak and write Korean fluently, enabling him to connect deeply with the local population, especially the sick and vulnerable. He provided not only medical care but also spiritual support, preaching in Hangul and writing hymns accessible to common people.
Collaboration with Mary Scranton
His mother, Mary Scranton, was a pioneering female missionary who founded Ewha School (now Ewha Womans University), promoting women’s education and gender equality in Korea. Together, they established hospitals and schools, including women-only medical facilities to accommodate cultural sensitivities.
Challenges and Conflicts
Scranton faced opposition from Japanese colonial authorities and some church leaders who favored pro-Japanese policies. He was interrogated and pressured due to his support for Korean independence and the patriotic youth nurtured in churches he founded. Ultimately, Scranton resigned from the Methodist Church in Korea due to conflicts over his stance and love for the Korean people.
Legacy and Later Life
After decades of service, and following the death of Appenzeller and his mother, Scranton continued to care for marginalized groups, including mine workers and the elderly, before leaving Korea. He spent his final years in Japan, working in hospitals serving Korean immigrants. His grave was lost to history for decades until rediscovered in Japan in 1991.
Impact on Korean Christianity and Independence Movement
Scranton’s work laid foundations for Korean Christianity’s growth and nurtured leaders who became prominent in Korea’s independence movement. His emphasis on equality, love, and service influenced generations.
Commemoration
Despite his long neglect in historical memory, Korean churches and historians now honor Scranton’s contributions, holding annual services and preserving his legacy as a model of unconditional neighborly love and dedication.
Presentation Style
The video combines historical research, personal letters, archival photos, and testimonies from scholars and descendants to reconstruct Scranton’s life and mission, highlighting his sacrifice and love for Korea during a turbulent era.
Presenters and Contributors
- Professor Seo Jeong-min (Meiji Gakuin University, Japan)
- Professor Elson (Hallym University)
- Descendants of William Scranton
- Various historians and JTBC narrators/presenters
Category
News and Commentary
