Seo Wal-bo | Today's AI Wiki

1. Overview

Seo Wal-bo (서왈보^Korean; 1886-1926) was a prominent Korean independence activist and an early aviator. He is recognized for his significant contributions to the Korean national liberation movement, operating primarily from China. While long considered the first Korean pilot, later discoveries revealed that George Lee (이응호^Korean, Lee Eung-ho) made an earlier flight in 1918. Seo Wal-bo served in Chinese military aviation units under various warlords, notably Feng Yuxiang, before his death in an aviation accident in 1926. His dedication to the independence cause was posthumously acknowledged by the South Korean government with national honors.

2. Early Life and Activism

Seo Wal-bo's early life was marked by movements within Korea and his eventual exile to China, where he became deeply involved in the Korean independence movement.

2.1. Birth and Early Life

Seo Wal-bo was born in 1886 in Pyeongyang, Pyeongan Province, Joseon.
q=Pyeongyang|position=left
His family, originally from Seongcheon County, had relocated to Pyeongyang. In 1888, his family moved to Wonsan, Hamgyeong Province, following his father's new employment as an interpreter for the Communications Bureau (遞信分掌局).
q=Wonsan|position=right
Seo Wal-bo received his early education at a Japanese elementary school before enrolling in 1907 at Daesung School (대성학교^Korean), an educational institution famously founded by the prominent Korean independence activist Ahn Changho.

2.2. Exile and Independence Activities in China

In 1910, Seo Wal-bo went into exile in China, where he continued his education and began his active participation in the independence movement. He studied the Chinese language at Yuying School (育英学校) in Beijing.
q=Beijing|position=right
Later, in Manchuria, he collaborated with Yu Dong-seol (유동설^Korean) to organize a bandit group, or Ma-jeokdan (馬賊団), primarily to raise essential funds for the Korean independence movement. He also graduated from the Beijing Military Academy (北京講武堂), which further integrated him into the Chinese military landscape. Subsequently, he became affiliated with the Zhili clique (直隷派) and served within the 16th Mixed Brigade, a unit led by the influential Chinese warlord Feng Yuxiang. During his time in Beijing, Seo Wal-bo became a member of the Uiyeoldan (의열단^Korean), a significant Korean anarchist independence organization. Following political disagreements, he co-founded the Shinuidan (신의단^Korean), an independence organization, alongside fellow activists Choi Yong-deok (최용덕^Korean) and Song Ho-seong (송호성^Korean).

3. Aviation Career

Seo Wal-bo's aviation career saw him develop into a qualified pilot and serve in various military capacities within China's volatile political landscape, often intertwining his military service with his independence activism.

3.1. Aviation Training and Qualification

Seo Wal-bo pursued formal aviation training in China, enrolling as a 3rd class student at the Nanyuan Aviation Training Center (南苑航空教練所) in 1920. He successfully completed his training and obtained his pilot qualification in April 1923.

3.2. Service with Chinese Warlords and Military Roles

Following his aviation training, Seo Wal-bo's career progressed rapidly within Chinese military aviation. He primarily served under the command of Feng Yuxiang, a powerful Chinese warlord. On March 19, 1924, he was appointed Engineer Major (工兵少校). In April 1924, he became the Flight Commander of the 1st Unit of the Central Aviation Command. In September of the same year, he participated in the Jiang-Zhe War (江浙战争) as a pilot within the Central Provisional Aviation Unit, led by Jiang Kui. After the Beijing Coup (北京政変), Seo Wal-bo and other aviation personnel from the Zhili faction were integrated into Feng Yuxiang's Kuominchun (国民軍). In March 1925, he was appointed as a consultant (参議) at the Northwest Frontier Defense Governor's Office Aviation Command (西北辺防督弁公署航空司令部) in Zhangjiakou, serving alongside Zhang Huayi, Ouyang Zhang, and Cao Baoqing. By August 1, 1925, he was a staff member (処員) of the Northwest Army Aviation Department. He eventually rose to the rank of Colonel Chief of Staff (上校参謀長) of the Northwest Army Aviation Command. Notably, Seo Wal-bo actively supported other independence activists; he notably assisted Choi Yong-deok in gaining admission to the Baojing Aviation School (보정항공학교). He was also a member of the Korean independence activist group Damuldan (다물단^Korean), which was established in Beijing in 1925.

4. Controversy over "First Korean Pilot"

For many years, Seo Wal-bo was widely credited as the first Korean to become a pilot and fly an aircraft. However, historical research and discoveries in recent times have led to a re-evaluation of this claim. It has been found that George Lee (이응호^Korean, Lee Eung-ho), an ethnic Korean serving in the United States Air Force, made his first flight in 1918, which predates Seo Wal-bo's qualification as an aviator. This revelation has positioned George Lee as the earliest known Korean aviator in history.

5. Death

Seo Wal-bo died on May 6, 1926, in an aviation accident. While on a test flight of a newly imported Italian Ansaldo SVA-9 (アンサルドSVA-9_{Ansarudo SVA-9}^Japanese) aircraft, the plane tragically crashed at the Kongjiazhuang (孔家庄) airfield in Zhangjiakou, China.
q=Zhangjiakou|position=right
Some sources, however, indicate his death occurred on June 28, 1926.

6. Legacy and Commemoration

Seo Wal-bo's contributions to the Korean independence movement and his pioneering role as an aviator have been recognized posthumously through various awards and memorial activities.

6.1. Posthumous Awards

In 1990, the South Korean government posthumously recognized Seo Wal-bo for his significant efforts in the independence movement. He was awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, specifically the Patriot's Medal (애족장), acknowledging his patriotism and dedication to the national liberation cause.

6.2. Memorial Activities and Recognition

Following his untimely death, Seo Wal-bo's legacy was commemorated through public mourning and media recognition. The prominent Korean newspaper, The Dong-A Ilbo (동아일보), published two commemorative articles detailing his life and contributions.

Image of Seo Wal-bo in The Dong-A Ilbo (1926) — Image of Seo Wal-bo in *The Dong-A Ilbo* (1926)

Additionally, memorial gatherings were held in various locations significant to his life and the independence movement, including his former residences in Wonsan and Pyeongyang, as well as Longjing (용정^Korean) in Gando, Manchuria.
q=Longjing|position=left
These events underscored the widespread respect and remembrance for his dedication to Korean independence.