A massive campaign is meanwhile launched in Korea, under the leadership of So Chae-p'il, who had exiled himself to the United States after participating in an unsuccessful palace coup in 1884, to advocate Korean independence from foreign influence and controls.

As well as supporting Korean independence, So also advocates reform in Korea's politics and customs in line with Western practices.

Upon his return to Korea in 1896, So publishes Tongnip simmun (The Independent), the first newspaper to use the hangul writing system and the vernacular language, which attracts an ever-growing audience.

He also organizes the Independence Club to introduce Korea's elite to Western ideas and practices.

Under his impetus and the influence of education provided by Protestant mission schools, hundreds of young men hold mass meetings on the streets and plazas demanding democratic reforms and an end to Russian and Japanese domination, but the conservative forces prove to be too deeply entrenched for the progressive reformers, who trash the paper's offices.

The reformers, including Syngman Rhee, at this time a student leader, are jailed.

So is compelled to return to the United States in 1898, and under one pretext or another the government suppresses both the reform movement and its newspaper.