The most serious and far-reaching reform movement in the history of Korea was the Independence Club movement of 1896-1898, which was initiated by Philip Jaisohn (So Chaepil).

This work tests specific criticisms of the Independence Club and its leader, Philip Jaisohn, and answers the following questions: Why did the Independence Club movement fail to accomplish what it advocated? Was there no hope in Korea to launch any kind of reform movement because of the conservatism prevalent in the country? What were the chief factors operating to hinder the movement? Could any alternative policies have been adopted by the Independence Club that would have secured success for the movement?

And, finally, did the abolition of the club in 1898 mark the complete failure of the movement?

In order to reach answers with substantial evidence to these questions, detailed analyses are made of the philosophy of The Independent, the composition and function of the Independence Club, the activities of the club, and the government's reaction to the club's activities. In addition, in order to explore the possible influence on Jaisohn of the 1884 coup in which Jaisohn actively participated, a considerable analysis of the 1884 coup is undertaken.