Following the opening of Korea’s ports to international commerce in the 1880s, the Government recognized the importance of developing modern methods of mining. On September 4, 1900, the ‘Governmental Mining School’ to promote industrial education was established. The officials of the school were to be the principal, a superintendent, four trainers, an assistant trainer, and a secretary. The superintendent and the trainers would be foreigners. The plan was to develop Korean mining engineers through training by foreign mining engineers.
Mr. Tremoulet was a member of the Korean committee at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle which led him to be invited to establish the mining school in Korea. He signed a contract on October 13, 1900, and went to Korea on December 29, 1900 as the principal of the mining school. His responsibility was the supervision of the mining school, and the development of mining operations. His monthly salary was 400 wŏn (equivalent then to 1,000 French francs), and he was guaranteed a six-month vacation allowance after three years of service.
