May 17, 2025
KIPO Unveils ROK’s First Patent Applicant to the U.S.: Independence Activist Kwon Do-in
In celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea's national liberation and the 60th anniversary of Invention Day, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) has identified KWON Do-in (1888–1962), a Korean independence activist, as the first Korean to file a patent application in the United States.
The discovery was part of a historical research project into the "History of Overseas Korean Inventions and Patent Applications/Registrations in Major Countries," which accompanied the examination of patent data from five major countries (U.S., U.K., Japan, France, and Germany) during the period from Korea's opening to the outside world in 1876 to liberation in 1945.
To honor Sir. Kwon's contributions to both invention and Korea's independence movement, KIPO held a memorial ceremony on May 15 at the Daejeon National Cemetery, and inaugurated a special exhibition room at the Hall of Inventors within its Daejeon headquarters in the afternoon on the same day, under the theme "Independence and Invention."
Kwon Do-in, born in Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk Province, immigrated to Hawaii in 1905 as a laborer. On September 14, 1920, he filed a patent application in the U.S. for a sewing machine attachment, which was registered on September 27, 1921. He later patented a bamboo curtain, which gained popularity in the U.S. and contributed to the success of his furniture business. He donated the proceeds to support the Korean independence movement and was actively involved in organizations such as the Korean National Association. His wife, LEE Hee-kyung (1894–1947), also participated in independence fundraising efforts. Both were posthumously honored by the Korean government and are buried together at the National Cemetery.
The research also revealed that independence activist KANG Young-seung (1888–1987) filed a U.S. patent in 1934 for a "food product and process", which was granted in May, 1936. His wife, KANG Won-shin (1887–1977), was likewise recognized as a patriotic contributor, and both were posthumously awarded national honors.
Notably, the first Korean to be granted a U.S. patent was PARK Young-ro (dates unknown), who filed a patent on a fishing rod on September 16, 1920—two days after that of Mr. Kwon's—but received registration on May 10, 1921, four months earlier. Park also served as secretary of the Korea Information Bureau, established in Philadelphia in 1919 to raise awareness of Korea's independence efforts among Americans following the March 1st Movement.
Commissioner KIM Wan Ki remarked, "The spirit of our ancestors, who devoted themselves to national independence through invention, continues to resonate in today's science and technology-driven society." He added, "As we commemorate the 80th year of liberation and the 60th Invention Day, this celebration will serve as a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the value of patents and inventions as foundations for future innovation."