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Guide to the Kilsoo Haan Papers, 1933-1973
MS 151
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Table of contents
Title: Kilsoo Haan Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1933-1973
Collection number: MS 151
Creator:
Haan, Kilsoo Kenneth
Extent:
2.25 linear feet
3 cartons; 1 oversize folder
3 cartons; 1 oversize folder
Repository:
University of California, Santa Cruz. University Library.
Special Collections and Archives
Santa Cruz, California 95064
Abstract: Correspondence, clippings, commentaries, and other writing, including texts for the
Korean Underground Report, written by Haan in his role as a Sino-Korean Peoples' League representative.
Physical location: Stored in Special Collections & Archives: Advance notice is required for access to the papers.
Language:
English
Collection is open for research.
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators
of the records and their heirs. For permission to publish or to reproduce the material, please contact the
Head of Special Collections and Archives.
Kilsoo Haan Papers, MS 151, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Gift of Kilsoo K. Haan in August 1973. Additions 1974, 1975.
Kilsoo Kenneth Haan was born in Chang Dan, Korea, on May 31, 1900. He arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, at age 5, and soon was
working as a sugar cane laborer for the Oahu Sugar Company. After completing the 8th grade, he contracted to raise sugar cane for the Company, while training in the Hawaiian National
Guard. After an honorable discharge, Haan moved to San Francisco. There he attended the Salvation Army Training College. Between
1922 and 1926 he served in the Salvation Army as an officer, reaching the rank of Captain, and was stationed back on the Hawaiian Islands. In 1926 he married Stella Yoon
in Honolulu, with whom he had a son and a daughter. In 1932 he joined the Sino-Korean Peoples' League, acting as its representative in Hawaii and America, and began working to assist U.S. intelligence concerning Japan. Between
1938 and 1947 he resided in Washington, D.C., as the Washington representative of the League. He is famous for having attempted
to warn various American officals shortly before the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor of the impending attack. Haan became
a naturalized United States citizen in 1956. He worked for the Chun King Corporation in San Jose, California, from the mid- 1950's until 1969. Upon his retirement he moved to Capitola, a seaside village near
Santa Cruz, where he died in July, 1976.
Scope and Content of Collection
Correspondence, clippings, commentaries, and other writing, including texts for the
Korean Underground Report, written by Haan in his role as a Sino-Korean Peoples' League representative. The correspondence is arranged chronologically by year, ranging from 1933 to 1975. Many of the letters were
photocopied by Mr. Haan himself, who then added clarifying notes in the margins.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Haan, Kilsoo--1900-1976--Archives.
Haan, Kilsoo--1900-1976--Correspondence.
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941.
World War, 1939-1945--Causes.
United States--Foreign relations--Sources.