US Embassy Charg? d'Affaires Diary 'Missile Log' to Become National Registered Cultural Heritage

Detailed Records of Lee Beom-jin's Diplomatic Activities
'Hoyeoljabyeong Yebang Juiso' Designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage

'Misailrok (美?日錄)', which contains the activities of I Beom-jin (1852~1911) as the Minister to the United States, will be managed as a National Registered Cultural Property. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 10th that it will collect opinions from various sectors for a month and decide on the registration after deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

This is a handwritten copy of I Beom-jin's diary by the legation secretary Lee Geon-ho. It records detailed activities from June 20, 1896, to January 31, 1897, during his tenure as Minister to the United States. The title 'Misailrok' is on the original cover. The text contains daily entries from the journey crossing the sea to his post, meetings with American officials, to visits to major American institutions and cultural facilities.

According to the record, I Beom-jin departed New York on September 10, 1896, crossed the Hudson River, and arrived in Washington. After greeting the outgoing minister Seo Gwang-beom, counselor Park Seung-bong, and secretary Seo Byeong-gyu who came to welcome him, he took a carriage to the Korean legation in the United States. On October 14, 1896, he went to the residence of the U.S. President (Grover Cleveland) to deliver King Gojong's letter of credence. On January 7, 1897, he toured the Senate and House of Representatives chambers at the U.S. Capitol and then moved to the Supreme Court to observe a trial.

The Cultural Heritage Administration evaluated, "It provides insight into the diplomatic activities of the Minister to the United States, the usage and notation of English at the time, and the level of awareness of Western countries by intellectuals in the late 19th century."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Cultural Heritage Administration registered 'Hoyeoljabyeong Yebang Juiso' as a National Registered Cultural Property. It is a contagious disease prevention manual published in 1902 by the government-run medical school established by the Korean Empire in 1899. It briefly describes cholera transmission and prevention methods, patient management, and disinfection techniques. It is evaluated as providing a glimpse into the introduction of public health knowledge and epidemic prevention activities during the Korean Empire period.

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