The Japanese have made a power play and are slowly taking over the peninsula. Some Korean rule is in place, and a new cabinet that is formed begins to rescind some of the Japanese "reforms", while the old cabinet runs for its life.

The Korean people are increasingly against the intrusion. So the Japanese suggest that another king be put on the throne.

It is during this period that a political group known as the "Independence Club" is formed. What author Hulbert does not say is that he is the one who formed it!

Henry Hulbert's father is a Congregational Church minister. His mother is a daughter of missionaries to India. When King Sojong asks for volunteers to teach English, he steps up. For five years he is actually in the palace, a representative of Christ himself. Hulbert is not actually a missionary, but is dedicated to education for Koreans. He teaches, and writes about Korea in various settings. From 1905 (when this history was published) until his death in 1949, he is a one-man crusade trying to avert Korea's fall and make Korea known to the world.

The Independence Club that he forms promotes a constitutional monarchy and, of course, independence. The King is with them . For two years, the club exercises a dominant political force in Korea. Their theme, Korea for the Koreans. Great democratic ideas are promoted: The worth and power of the individual,inalienable rights.

Hulbert works with Philip Jaisohn, So Chae-Pil, a Korean patriot involved in a coup attempt. He flees to Japan, but his family's property is confiscated on the charge of treason, under the Confucian belief that families are responsible for whatever one or more of its members may do.

That has a familiar ring to it. Has Kim Jong-il of North Korea actually retained some Confucian ways after all?

After Jaisohn leaves for America, having failed, other more peaceable members of the Club emerge, being a little more careful to be pro Korea, without trying so much to westernize.

Now add to the mix one Yi Seungman, or as we know him in the West, Syngman Rhee, a man fairly low on the social scale. In1895 he is 20, living in Seoul, and hears of and joins the Independence Club. He also heads up a debating organization, and starts to be known as a passionate speaker for the cause of independence. He starts a daily newspaper, Korea's first.

Eventually the club loses favor, and 17 members are arrested. But Rhee leads a protest against it, and they are released. He is granted an audience with the King who says he will institute reforms.

Rhee becomes a member of the privy council. At the first meeting he wants pardon for all dissenters in Japan. At that point the council is abandoned, Independence Club members are arrested. Rhee himself is tortured, and prays for death. In the midst of it all he receives the peace of God from preaching he has heard. Christ has entered Korea.

He is slipped a revolver and told to flee, which he does. But then he is caught and given life imprisonment. Later the story of Christ is shared with Him more fully, he accepts it, and is baptized. While in jail he reads to others from the New Testament. As editorials are smuggled out, a school is started in the prison. The man is irrepressible!