Meritorious Service Record

On July 22, 1904, the English edition of The Korea Daily News published an article titled "Waste Land Reclamation Plan" by Yun Chi-ho, who was then Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. This article criticized Japan’s unjust claims and stirred public opposition, forcing Japan to withdraw its demands regarding waste land reclamation.
On November 27, 1905, he published a special edition of The Korea Daily News containing an English translation of Jang Ji-yeon’s editorial, "I Wail Bitterly Today" (是日也放聲大哭), which condemned the Eulsa Treaty that led to Korea’s forced annexation by Japan.
On January 16, 1907, The Korea Daily News published a photograph of Emperor Gojong’s secret letter, which had been given to Douglas Story, a correspondent for The Tribune, exposing the illegality of the Eulsa Treaty. On January 23-24, The Korea Daily News published an editorial titled "A Letter Received by Mr. Douglas Story", refuting pro-Japanese cabinet officials who denied the existence of the letter.
From February 1907, he actively supported the National Debt Redemption Movement, publishing related editorials, success stories, and lists of donors in The Korea Daily News to encourage participation in efforts to restore Korea’s sovereignty.
On April 17, 1908, The Korea Daily News published a detailed report on the assassination of pro-Japanese diplomat Durham W. Stevens by Korean independence activists Jang In-hwan and Jeon Myeong-un, helping to inspire national resistance against Japan.
His anti-Japanese stance made him a target of the Japanese colonial authorities. The Japanese Residency-General lodged strong protests with the British Consulate in Korea, leading to two trials against him in the British Consular Court.
His first trial was held on October 14-15, 1907. He was convicted for inciting unrest through his publications and sentenced to six months of probation, required to sign a pledge of good conduct, and fined ￡300 for any violations.
His second trial took place from June 15-18, 1908, at the British Consulate in Seoul. He was convicted for reporting on the Korean Righteous Army and the assassination of Stevens, receiving a sentence of three months in prison, followed by six months of probation and a ￡350 bond payment. He served his sentence at the British Consular Prison in Shanghai.
Bethell returned to Seoul on July 17, 1909, but continued to face constant surveillance and pressure from Japanese authorities. He and Yang Gi-tak were falsely accused of embezzling National Debt Redemption funds.
Under relentless persecution, Bethell’s health deteriorated, and on May 1, 1909, he passed away at the age of 37. His remains were buried at Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery in Seoul.
In 1950, the South Korean government posthumously awarded Ernest Thomas Bethell the Order of Merit for National Foundation (Presidential Medal) in recognition of his contributions to Korea’s independence.