The Life of Xu Zaibi

186465438+1October 7th (November 28th, the second year of Tongzhi in the old calendar), Xu Zaibi was born in Baocheng, Jeolla-do, North Korea. He was born in the Xu family in Daegu, the second son of local official Xu. When I was a child, I adopted Xu Wei, a clan uncle who lived in Cen, Chungcheongdao Town, as an adopted son, and lived in the same clan with another civilized party member Xu Guangfan. At the age of seven, he came to Seoul, the capital of North Korea (now Seoul, South Korea), and received sinology education in Sung-Keun Kim and then Zuo Chengzhi's home, burying his head in preparing for the imperial examination. 1882, 18-year-old Xu zaibi took the imperial examination, won the third place in liberal arts and was appointed as the deputy orthography of the school library.

When Xu Zaibi was in Seoul, he was deeply influenced by the budding civilization thought at that time. He met Jin, the leader of the civilized party who was ten years older than him (and also a relative of Sung-Keun Kim) at Sung-Keun Kim's house, which had a great influence on him. With the care, guidance and influence of Brother Jin, Xu Zaibi made friends with Xu Guangfan, Hong Yingzhi, Park and other civilized people, and gradually became a member of the civilized party. After the Renwu mutiny, Xu Zaibi felt the urgency of national defense modernization, and at the suggestion and recommendation of Jin, he went to Japan to study in May 1883. Xu Zaibi later recalled: "The person who impressed me the most was Jin. ..... One day, he advised me that the enrichment of national defense lies in the elite army. Now our top priority is second to none. What can we do? Is to study martial arts in Japan. " After Xu Zaibi went to Japan, he first studied Japanese at Keio Yishu, founded by Fukuzawa Yukichi, a famous Japanese thinker. Later, as an official student of the North Korean government, he conducted modern military training and theoretical study at Hushan Army School. There are 65,438+04 North Korean students studying with him, including Zheng, Lin, Shen Zhongmao, Yin Yongguan, Li Guiwan and Shen Yingxi, all of them. During 1 year in Japan, Xu Zaibi consolidated the position of Huakai Party and was determined to devote himself to the modernization of North Korea.

1In July, 884, Xu Zaibi returned to China. At that time, although he was the youngest among the backbone of the civilized party, he was also the most radical. It is said that after he returned to South Korea from Japan, he once made such remarks: "If Toyo hopes to be civilized with Europe and America, it will be uncivilized unless more than 40 old and useless things are slaughtered together, or the ship is fully loaded to cover the Seven Mountains Strait." At the same time, he suggested setting up a non-commissioned officer school, which was approved by korean king Li Xi (Emperor Gaozong of North Korea), so the North Korean government set up a training bureau, with Xu Zaibi as a non-commissioned officer.

1In the winter of 884, Yu Jinping planned a coup, and Xu Zaibi actively participated in it. Xu Zaibi and other noncommissioned officers became the main force for Jin and others to launch a coup. Xu Zaibi was entrusted with the important task of coup commander, responsible for scheduling the whole operation process, including commanding cadets, guarding the king, and executing the guards. The purpose of the Huakai Party's coup was not only to reform national politics and promote the modernization of North Korea, but also to get rid of the independence of the Qing Dynasty. Xu Zaibi was very indignant at the Qing Dynasty's intervention and control over North Korea after the Renwu mutiny, and thought it was "unbearable shame and indignation". This has also become the ideological source of his lifelong pursuit of independence.

1884 65438+On the night of February 4th, the "Shen Jia coup" initiated by Huakai Party kicked off. According to Jin's arrangement, Xu Zaibi led 14 non-commissioned officers and students to stand guard in the temple after Wang moved to Jingyou Palace. That night * * * six conservative ministers were killed by Hua Kai outside Jingyou Palace, all under the command of Xu Zaibi, among whom Liu Zaixian, a eunuch who drew his sword and committed suicide. The next day, Xu Zaibi joined the new government of Huakai Party as a soldier. He is a judge in Cao Can and an official in Qian Ying, and holds the military power. However, the good times did not last long. On February 6, 65438, the coup in Shen Jia was suppressed by the Qing army stationed in the DPRK led by Yuan Shikai. Jin, Xu Fanfan, Xu Zaibi, Park and other civilized party member were forced to interrupt their work and surrender to the Japanese. Xu Zaibi's first appearance on the political stage in his life ended like this. In his later years, Xu Zaibi also reflected on his radicalism in the coup in Shen Jia. After the coup in Shen Jia was suppressed and Xu Zaibi and others fled to Japan, the North Korean government designated Jin Yujun, Park Xiaoyong, Hong Yingzhi, Xu Fanfan and Xu Zaibi as the "five murderers". Among them, Hong Yingzhi was killed in the coup, and others fled to Japan, but their families suffered greatly. Xu Zaibi was killed as an imperial "national thief". His parents, brother and wife all committed suicide by taking poison before being arrested. Xu Zaibi's 2-year-old son starved to death because no one took care of him. His brother Xu was beheaded for participating in the coup, and even his servant Che Hongzhi, 18 years old, was executed for holding a lantern to bid farewell to Xu Zaibi on the night of the coup, which can be described as the death of the whole family.

After Xu Zaibi and others arrived in Japan, the Japanese government was very cold to them, and the North Korean government frequently negotiated with Japan to extradite the exiles in party member, Hua Kai, so Xu Zaibi and others were very worried about their personal safety in Japan. Four months after their arrival in Japan, Xu Zaibi, Xu Guangfan and Park Xiaoyong decided to flee to the United States to seek asylum. Before going to the United States, Xu Zaibi met an American missionary, Herry Loomis, in Yokohama, and they began to associate. Xu Zaibi taught Korean to Henry who wanted to go to Korea to preach. Henry also taught Xu Zaibi some basic English and wrote a letter of introduction to San Francisco for Xu Zaibi. Taking this as an opportunity, Xu Zaibi

On May 26th, 1885, Xu Zaibi arrived in San Francisco, USA. Since then, he has been working, taking part in YMCA activities to learn English and being attracted by Christianity. Since then, he has become a Protestant. Through the relationship of the church, Xu Zaibi was introduced to J.W.Hollenback, a wealthy mine owner in the eastern United States, who was also a member of the board of directors of Lafayette College and the University of Pennsylvania. Hollenbeck sponsored Xu Zaibi to enter Harry Hillman College in Wilkes-Barry, Pennsylvania to study American high school courses. /kloc-0 graduated with honors in June, 889, and was even selected as the graduation speaker to give a graduation speech. During his study there, Xu Zaibi was greatly influenced and basically accepted American values. He later recalled this experience and said:

"I was boarding at the principal's house. One thing that has impressed me so far is that I learned a lot about American culture from the headmaster's husband (who also lived in the headmaster's house at that time). He is a retired judge. Because he has served in the state and central legislative departments for many years, he has very rich theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the American legal system. Every night, he tells me about the American legislative system and his experience in court, which really benefits me a lot, because I am eager to know about American life and social system. I think what I learned from him is no less than what I learned in class at that time. Looking back now, it is really my blessing to meet someone as experienced and knowledgeable as him. "

After graduation, Xu Zaibi was successfully admitted to Lafayette College. Hollenbeck hoped that through Xu Zaibi's education, he could return to North Korea as a missionary in the future, so he gave Xu Zaibi a scholarship of 7,000 dollars when he entered school. As a condition, Xu Zaibi had to enter Princeton Theological Seminary to study theology and become a Christian missionary after graduation. However, Xu Zaibi declined his generous support and chose his own path. In the same year, he entered Washington Columbia Medical University (now Washington University Medical College) to study medicine at night. At the same time, he worked as an assistant in the Army Medical Library, translating oriental books for work-study programs. From June 65438 to June 0893, Xu Zaibi graduated from this school with a bachelor's degree in medicine and stayed as a lecturer in pathology. Later, I got a doctor's qualification certificate in the United States. Later, he was called "Dr. Xu Zaibi" by Koreans. In fact, this is a misunderstanding. Because South Korea translated Xu Zaibi's professional "doctor" into "doctor", this well-known title came into being.

With Xu Zaibi's further study in the United States, he gradually became Europeanized, and the China cultural factors in his thoughts were completely eliminated. 1888, he gave himself an English name (Philip Jaisonhh, also known as Pi Xian Di), which was formed by his real name (SEO Jaipil) in turn. Among them, he chose the English name "Philip" with similar pronunciation to the word "Bi" as his name and "Zai" as his name. 1In June, 890, Xu Zaibi obtained the American green card and officially became an American citizen. He also became the first Korean in history to become an American. When Xu was a college student, he fell in love with his mentor, Muriel Armstrong, the daughter of George B.Armstrong, the founder of Railpost. 1In June, 894, he married the Armstrong family despite their objections. Although Xu Zaibi became an American citizen, racial discrimination in the United States was very serious at that time, and Xu Zaibi was very angry at being expelled from school. He resigned as a lecturer in the school, opened a clinic in Washington and started his medical career. At this time, the situation in North Korea has undergone earth-shaking changes. 1894 In July, the Sino-Japanese War broke out, and North Korea got rid of China's control. Under the influence of the Japanese, it began to carry out modernization reform-the Sino-Japanese War. At the same time, the "rebels" of the coup in Shen Jia were also retaliated and pardoned. Park Xiaoyong, Xu Guangfan, Yin Zhihao and other Hua Kai party member who were exiled after the coup in Shen Jia returned to work for the reform of North Korea. From June 65438 to June 0895, the North Korean government granted Xu Zaibi the position of foreign co-organizer, but Xu Zaibi refused. Later, Park Yong-hyo, the interior minister of the DPRK government, was beaten as a traitor because of political struggle and went into exile again. Park Yong-hsiao arrived in Washington State in late September 1895, and met with Xu Zaibi, an old comrade of the Hua Kai Party, and advised Xu Zaibi to return to China. Xu Zaibi later described: "In Washington, when I heard the news about China's political trends from Park Yong-hyo, I suddenly felt that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I had dreamed of for many years in the United States, and I could realize the ideal of independence and freedom in North Korea. So I set off for home at once. " 1895165438+1At the beginning of October, Xu Zaibi set off from the United States and arrived in his native Korea on February 25th, 65438, finally ending his 1 1 year escape career.

As for Xu Zaibi's motivation to return to China, some people think that it is "being an official and mastering real power", while others think that it is "for the purpose of educating people and enlightening people's wisdom". The latter view is more supported. After Xu Zaibi returned to China, the situation in North Korea has been precarious. The "B Wei Incident" occurred in June+10, 5438, and Princess Min of Korea was assassinated by Japanese troops in Gyeongbokgung Palace. Subsequently, the Chunshengmen incident happened, the decree was suspended and the volunteer movement was triggered. Subsequently, the Russian Pavilion was moved and the pro-Russian cabinet replaced the pro-Japanese cabinet. Xu Zaibi was very disappointed to see this situation, but the then North Korean government encouraged him to stay and wanted to appoint him as an official. Xu Zaibi refused all official positions on the grounds that he was already an American, and only became an adviser to the Academia Sinica, the "foreign minister". Xu Zaibi himself decided to start the National Enlightenment for the independence and prosperity of the country.

Xu Zaibi summed up the reasons for the failure of the coup in Shen Jia and said: "The biggest reason for the failure of the coup in Shen Jia lies in the ignorance of ordinary people. Because most people oppose the coup, the failure of the coup is inevitable and doomed. ..... Whether in the East or the West, without the support and backup of organized and well-trained people, it is impossible to lead the revolution to success only by relying on a few far-sighted people. " At the same time, he explained: "At that time, I thought that under the current circumstances, the only way to get rid of the slavery of neighboring countries and truly realize North Korea's independent state status was to fundamentally reform backward domestic and foreign policies with the hands of the North Koreans themselves, especially taking the democratic road in internal affairs. The key to achieve this goal is to educate and enlighten the people. Although I have put forward my views to the government officials at that time many times, it has never played any role. Therefore, I decided to use all available educational facilities at that time, such as newspapers, public lecture halls and public seminars. Committed to the cause of educating civilians. "

With this determination to enlighten the people, Xu Zaibi, with the support of the former Minister of the Interior, allocated 5,000 yuan from the national treasury and founded Independent News 1896 on April 7. It is the first modern folk news newspaper in Korean history, and it was published in pure Korean for the first time, so it has epoch-making historical significance. As the president and editor-in-chief, Xu Zaibi used this newspaper to popularize the enlightenment thought in Europe and America and made great contributions to the national enlightenment in North Korea. Xu Zaibi wrote in Independent News that he strongly advocated the ideas of natural human rights, sovereignty in the people, freedom and equality, and the rule of law, which can be seen everywhere in his articles. Independence is also an important aspect of Xu Zaibi's thought. He opposed the North Korean government's dependence on foreign forces, especially when King Gaozong moved to the Russian legation, and declared that he would "scold all pro-Russian and pro-Japanese politicians". 1On July 2, 896, Xu Zaibi established the "Independent Association" with enlightened officials such as, An, and Xu Zaibi served as a consultant. Although he is not a full member of the independent association because of his American citizenship, he is actually the leader of the independent association. Xu Zaibi's explanation for the establishment of an independent association is: "Later, I gradually felt that relying solely on newspapers could not better and more effectively advocate the reform ideas of freedom and democracy to the people. Therefore, after repeated consideration, I decided to create a political party and rely on everyone's strength to widely publicize this concept. " After the establishment of the Independent Association, the first thing to do is to build a "unique door" on the basis of the original door to welcome the "angel" in China, which was advocated by Xu Zaibi. He regarded North Korea as a slave when it was liberated from the suzerain-vassal relationship with China. He said: "When I returned to China, the first thing I saw was Yingenmen. At that time, I decided to tear down this extremely dirty and shameful door anyway. It is the long-cherished wish of our people to tear down this gate. After dismantling Ying 'en Gate, we will commemorate breaking free from the shackles of slaves at the site of our base and becoming an independent gate of an independent country. " (Actually, Ying 'en Gate was demolished in February 1895, and Xu Zaibi only saw the foundation of Ying 'en Gate. Xu Zaibi's idea of establishing an independent association and building an independent door has been supported and echoed by all walks of life in North Korea. 1897+0 1 In June, the independence gate symbolizing North Korea's independence was finally established.

While establishing an independent association, Xu Zaibi also worked as a lecturer in Peicai School run by American missionary H.G.Appenzeller, instilling enlightenment in Korean youth, which had a great influence on the students of Peicai School. One of them is Li Chengwan, the future first president of the Republic of Korea. Later, under the influence of Xu Zaibi, Li Chengwan joined the independent association and became an activist. Later, he and Xu Zaibi joined an independent association. 1896, 1 1 In June, at the suggestion of Xu Zaibi, the teachers and students of Peicai School organized a student seminar called "Xiecheng Association", which was more radical than the Independent Association. Xu Zaibi even made a speech at a seminar of Peicai School. "A person can kill the monarch or his own father in order to safeguard his rights. In a word, the establishment of the independence association marked the beginning of the first bottom-up patriotic and democratic movement in the history of the Korean peninsula, which was later merged with the independence association, pushing the independence association movement to a new height. Although Xu Zaibi's activities were very popular in North Korea and shocked the North Korean ideological circle, they were also hated and panicked by the old school. After returning home, Xu Zaibi pretended to be a foreigner. When talking with King Gaozong, he failed to keep the courtesy of the monarch and ministers, and his attitude was arrogant. According to historical records, after returning to China, Xu Zaibi "claimed to be the foreign minister, wore glasses, smoked, came out with his hands down, and raised his face in pain and anger". Emperor Gaozong also made it clear that he didn't like Xu Zaibi. 1On July 9, 896, Jinshi Zheng Xingyu attacked Xu Zaibi, saying, "The murderer committed a heinous crime, never forgave, returned home, dared to wear the sun and deal with the country? What's more, he calls himself the foreign minister in front of your majesty. If he is the foreign minister, what about North Korea's affairs? The so-called "independent news" in the canal is just nine Niu Yi hairs, not for the country or the people. I just want to change the legal system of my former king, and I just want to overthrow my country. Can you tolerate the loan between being so fierce and rebellious and overloaded? "Although Xu Zaibi took Zheng Xingyu to court and won the case, he won 2,000 yuan in compensation, but the old school's slander and attack on him did not stop. Xu Zaibi's enlightenment to the people is intolerable to those in power. In June, 65438 +0897+February, 65438, the imperial government of South Korea dismissed Xu Zaibi from the position of consultant in the Central Hospital, and negotiated with the United States to expel him from the United States. 1In March, 898, at the instigation of Xu Zaibi, the Independence Association held a "national meeting", denouncing Russia's violation of South Korea's sovereignty, and finally forcing Russia to close the newly established Korea-Russia Dawson Bank and withdraw its military instructors as financial advisers. The struggle for independence was a great victory, so Russia also hated Xu Zaibi and hit it off with the South Korean government. The American envoy also advised him not to confront the government for fear that his activities as an American would cause international disputes. Xu Zaibi later recalled:

"Every Sunday, when I give a speech in Ximen Independent Park, people will consciously gather from all directions. The sight of the awakening of the masses not only frightened the emperor and the stubborn and conservative cabinet ministers, but also surprised the envoys of various countries who were active in the open and closed places for their own interests. "

"Independent news and independent associations have driven the general public to launch a fierce criticism campaign against the current government. At that time, the emperor thought that this was the result of Xu Zaibi's instigation behind his back, so he summoned the American envoys and forced me to return to the United States. So under the coercion of the emperor and the old school, under the pressure of the US government and my wife and family, I had to leave my motherland again and return to the United States. "

Finally, under various pressures at home and abroad, Xu Zaibi left Korea for the United States on May 1898. Prior to this, on April 30, the Independent Association held a rally against the government's exile of Xu Zaibi, but to no avail, Xu Zaibi also decided to leave. Xu Zaibi's activities in the motherland ended only two and a half years ago, but his ideological enlightenment work was really indelible and far-reaching. As Yin Zhihao, his comrade in the independent association movement, said, "(Xu Zaibi) instilled the idea of natural human rights into the people by writing his own editorials and reports, so that the oppressed Korean people finally understood some common sense."

In the 50 years after Xu Zaibi went to the United States again, he never went back to South Korea, and his concern for Korean affairs quickly faded. According to the record of the leader of an independent association, after Xu Zaibi went to the United States, "after he went, he never wrote a word to the association, and all members called him heartless." After returning to the United States, Xu Zaibi participated in the Spanish-American War as a military doctor in 1899, responsible for diagnosis, treatment and operation, and served as an anatomy lecturer in philadelphia university after the war. 1904 Xu zaibi started a business with his college classmates, doing stationery and printing, and concentrating on running the company. Since then, the business has been expanding, and it started to operate independently on 19 15, and has been expanding into a company with two branches and more than 50 employees. During this period, Xu Zaibi's career developed and his family was happy. However, while Xu Zaibi was successful in the United States, his motherland was suffering from bad luck. 1904 When the Russo-Japanese War broke out, Xu Zaibi originally supported Japan. He once wrote to Li Chengwan in China, saying: "Up to now, Japan is just, and all intellectuals should fight on the principle of support. I pray that God will protect those countries that fight for justice and civilization. Countries such as Japan voluntarily help South Korea, but they can't help South Korea that doesn't try to get help from other countries. If South Korea continues like this, it will eventually become a vassal of other countries (referring to Russia). " But after the Russo-Japanese War, Japan began to annex South Korea. 1905, Japan forced the Korean Empire to sign the Treaty of Japan, turning South Korea into its protectorate; 19 10, Japan and South Korea concluded the Japan-South Korea Merger Treaty, formally annexed the Korean Peninsula, and South Korea became a Japanese colony. It is impossible for Xu Zaibi to be indifferent to all this, especially after the outbreak of 19 19 March Movement, Xu Zaibi once again stood up and fought for the independence of South Korea.

After hearing the news of the March 1 Movement, Xu Zaibi immediately sorted out his property and began to raise funds for the Korean independence movement. He also published an article in The Evening Ledge, an American magazine, calling for South Korea's independence and condemning Japanese aggression. He also discussed with Li Chengwan and others how to attend the Paris Peace Conference and called for North Korea's independence. Xu Zaibi set up a communication department in Philadelphia, USA, and served as a diplomatic adviser, holding various activities to win international public opinion to support the Korean independence movement. 19 19 From April 14 to 16, Xu Zaibi held the "Korean Freedom Conference" in Philadelphia, which brought together 150 overseas Chinese representatives from the United States and South Korea to discuss current events and publicize the Korean independence movement to the American people. At the end of the meeting on the afternoon of June 6, 65438, it was recorded that "the representatives of men and women, led by Dr. Xu Zaibi, the president, and led by the riding patrol and music team, visited the Philadelphia Independence Memorial Hall on foot. At this time, it began to rain lightly, and the delegates marched in the street holding the flags of North Korea and the United States. All the men and women in the city raised their hands and wished us success in the future. In front of the Philadelphia Independence Monument, the cradle of American independence, Dr. Li Chengwan read out the Declaration of Independence. In May of the same year, Xu Zaibi and Li Chengwan organized the "Friends of Korea" to contact Americans to support the Korean independence movement and became the support club of the Korean independence movement. He also founded English publications such as Independent News and Korean Review in the United States, and made great efforts for independent public opinion propaganda and diplomatic activities in South Korea.

Subsequently, Xu Zaibi got in touch with the provisional government of the Republic of Korea established in Shanghai, China. 19 19 In July, the provisional government appointed him as the plenipotentiary diplomatic envoy to the United States, and the Philadelphia Department of Transportation was subordinate to the provisional government. In August of the same year, Li Chengwan, President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, established the European and American Committee Department, and the Philadelphia Communications Department headed by Xu Zaibi launched an independence movement under the European and American Committee. So Xu Zaibi conducted various lobbying activities in the US government and met with US President Harding 5438+092 1 1 in June. 1921On April 26th, Xu Zaibi succeeded Xie Xuan as the interim chairman of the European and American Commission. From1921-1922 during the Washington conference, Xu Zaibi organized more than 370 overseas Korean groups to jointly write a letter, calling on representatives of various countries to strive for South Korea's independence and demanding that the North Korean issue be included in the agenda of the conference. Their activities have won the sympathy of many people, even the Japanese representatives are sighing, but they have not succeeded after all. At the same time, the contradiction between him and Li Chengwan is growing. Since joining the independence movement, Xu Zaibi has been a close political partner of Li Chengwan and fully supported Li Chengwan. However, after Xu Zaibi became the temporary chairman of the European and American Committee, the contradiction between them was mainly reflected in the way of raising special diplomatic expenses for attending the Washington conference. Xu Zaibi hopes to diversify the fundraising window and let his Philadelphia communications department participate in fundraising. The funds raised can be used not only for diplomacy, but also for other aspects. On the other hand, Li Chengwan asked the European and American commission departments to act as a single window to raise funds. The differences between the two spread to American and Korean societies. For convenience, Li Chengwan simply issued a "presidential directive", separating their responsibilities and taking charge of their own finances, while Xu Zaibi was responsible for publicity. This is tantamount to depriving Xu Zaibi of his financial power, which makes Xu Zaibi very unhappy. As soon as the Washington Conference was over, Xu Zaibi resigned immediately and publicly declared that he would not participate in the independence movement in the future. However, Xu Zaibi only left the provisional government of the Republic of Korea and its European and American committees, and did not completely give up the independence movement. 1925, YMCA Pacific Rim held a Pan-Pacific conference in Hawaii, USA. Xu Zaibi broke through the obstacles of the Japanese representative and attended the meeting. At the conference, he exposed Japan's aggression against South Korea and once again called on the world to support South Korea's independence.

After these activities, Xu Zaibi has lost all his money and is facing the dilemma of bankruptcy. Xu Zaibi later said: "I am in a state of de facto bankruptcy, penniless, and even the support of my family is a problem." To this end, he had to give up the independence movement for a while and began to make a living for himself. 1924, 60-year-old Xu Zaibi entered the University of Pennsylvania as a graduate student and graduated two years later, during which he worked in the Pennsylvania Hospital to earn living expenses. And then engage in medical work for a long time. Although he stopped the actual action of the independence movement, he still remembered the independence of the motherland and kept writing articles to support the Korean independence movement. 194 1 After the outbreak of the Pacific War, Xu Zaibi made a physical examination for the US government. After the victory of the war, Xu Zaibi was awarded a medal by the US Congress. With the Japanese surrender and the end of World War II, the Korean Peninsula finally gained independence, and Xu Zaibi returned to China again. 1945 15 In August, Japan surrendered, and the Korean peninsula finally got rid of Japanese colonial rule, but it was split in half by the United States and the Soviet Union at 38 degrees north latitude. After South Korea entered the American military and political period in September, Xu Zaibi began to re-enter the Korean political arena. 1945 The right-wing party, the Democratic Party of Korea, established on September 6th, announced that Li Chengwan and Xu Zaibi were regarded as leaders, and Xu Zaibi's return to China was also put on the agenda. Since 1946, the commander of the US military stationed in South Korea, Hodge, has been inviting Xu Zaibi to return to China. South Korean left-wing Lv Yunheng and right-wing Li Chengwan both invited Xu Zaibi to return to China. At first, Xu Zaibi broke his word, and finally agreed to return to China to serve as the chief executive of the US military and political departments. 1June, 947, Xu Zaibi landed in Incheon, and finally set foot on the land of the motherland after 49 years.

When Xu Zaibi returned to China, South Korea was in the period of the US-Soviet Cooperation Committee and the left-right cooperation movement, but there was a separatist tendency brewing inside. Xu Zaibi shared similar views with Jin Jiu and Jin Kui, supported the cooperation between the left and the right, and called on all parties to unite and build an independent and unified democratic country. However, Li Chengwan, a former student and comrade of Xu Zaibi, became Xu Zaibi's political enemy because of his passion for power, and opposed Xu Zaibi's ideas, so Xu Zaibi and Li Chengwan parted ways completely. 1948 In the presidential election of the Republic of Korea in July, Xu Zaibi became a candidate with the support of the United States, but under the strong opposition of Li Chengwan's colleague Yin Zhiying, Xu Zaibi was refused to participate in the election on the grounds that he was an American citizen. 1August 1948 15, Li Chengwan was elected president and announced the establishment of the Republic of Korea, but Xu zaibi was very disappointed with this situation. He once said: "We Koreans don't know unity but only party struggle, and later we screwed up a lot. It has been 50 years since the coup in Shen Jia, but the situation remains the same. It's really chilling! "

With a sense of loss, Xu Zaibi left Korea on June 1948 and returned to the United States. Since then, his health has gone from bad to worse 1949, 15 On August 6th, at the invitation of Zhang Mian, Ambassador to the United States and South Korea, Xu Zaibi attended the celebration of the first anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC). This is his last public activity. Xu Zaibi died in the United States on June 5, 5438+095165438+10 on October 5, at the age of 87.