Dear Friends, 

 ​

Hope this email finds you all well.

The Hulbert Memorial Society held a commemorating ceremony for Dr. Hulbert upon his 161st birthday on January 26. 

In this year's ceremony, participants shared the historical significance of <사민필지(Saminpilji)>, written by Dr. Hulbert in 1891. 

<Saminpilji>, meaning "Knowledge necessary for all," is the first textbook written in Korean language in Korean history.

The first copy of <Saminpilji> is presumed to be bound manually in January 1891 but exact date is not identified. 

As such, we celebrate the publication of this book on his birthday. 

In particular, the preface of<Saminpilji> is a great didactic proverbs to Koreans, appealing for the use of Hngeul (Korean alphabet)

and educational equality regardless of sex and age. So, the Society decided to read the preface to audience in every commemorating 

ceremonies for Dr. Hulbert. Here, part of the preface is introduced for your joy of reading:

”Today's world is quite different from the past….. Thus you must have some knowledge about those countries, 

and that would be essential for establishing ties with them..... Whereas Hangeul, the native character, 

is much more useful than Chinese characters, the people do not know the usefulness of it, but rather despise it. Alas, sad!..... 

So I, foreigner, beg you to forgive me for the awkward paragraphs and clumsy expressions, 

and I hope you just grasp the texts and messages." 

The Society had done a number of meaningful promotions for Dr. Hulbert in 2023: 

- 74th Memorial Service 

- The publication of a handy book of <Hulbert's 50 year Korean Independence Activities in Sight> 

- Essay Contest on the book <Homer B. Hulbert: Joseon Must Blossom>,  the life story of Dr. Hulbert

- Assisting KBS TV produce Christmas Special Feature on Dr. Hulbert 

- Promotion to upgrade the Order for Country Foundation to the highest

- Lectures and media interviews for the introduction of Dr. Hulbert, etc.

Thank you for your support to The Hulbert Memorial Society. 

Wishing you the best, 

Kim DongJin, Chairman, The Hulbert Memorial Society 

Korean media coverage

재외동포신문 https://www.dongponews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=48913