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The Foundation and Management of the Korean-American Electric Co. in 1898-1904

  • The Review of Korean History
  • 2007, (88), pp.897-938
  • Publisher : The Historical Society Of Korea
  • Research Area : Humanities > History

JINSEOK OH 1

1배재대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This dissertation examines the reorganization of the Seoul Electric Company into the Korean-American Electric Company during the Greater Han Empire period and the practical management of the Korean-American Electric Company. Although Collbran & Bostwick Co. and Yi Yong-ik were at odds due to the debts of the Seoul Electric Company from 1902, the impending outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War and changes in international politics caused the two to quickly resolve their differences by late 1903. Since the Korean government was preparing its declaration of wartime neutrality, Yi Yong-ik needed the support and cooperation of the other Great Powers. As a result, the Korean-American Electric Company was established as a limited-liability company in Hartford, Connecticut in July 1904, with capital of one million dollars (two million won). In this manner, Yi Yong-ik's plan to gain control of Seoul Electric Company between 1902 and 1903 ended in failure. Since the assets of the Seoul Electric Company were not completely taken over, it was reestablished as a Korean-American partnership. To offset Japanese pressure, the Kwangmu emperor and the centrist members of his government sought to maintain American political and economic interest in the Greater Han Empire.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.