The Joseon government which accepted the Western culture at the late 19th century explored the Western medical institutions through the Official Observation Group dispatched to Japan in 1881. In April 1884, the Joseon government started to report the necessity of the Western medical education to the Korean people through Hanseong Sunbo, the governmental journal. After Gapsin Coup, Horace N. Allen, a medical missionary from the U.S. Northern Presbyterian Church, obtained the confidence of Gojong and sent a letter to the Joseon government to found a Western medical institution in 1885. Then, Gwanghyewon, the first Western medical institution in Korea, was established.
Soon after, Gwanghyewon was renamed Widespread Relief House (Jejungwon), and with Widespread Relief House as the matrix, Severance Hospital was established in 1904 through the sponsorship of missionary Severance.
The first modern medical institution in Korea. This was the starting point of the true modern medical institution which provided medical service to all people regardless of status and position beyond the period of monarchy.
Most doctors with a background in missionary including Allen, the first medical missionary, spread Protestantism to patients, the hospital was the starting point for the history of Korean Christianity.
