Kim Hong-jip

This is a Korean name; the family name is Kim.

Kim Hong-jip
File:Kim Hong-Jip.jpg
Korean name
Hangul	김홍집
Hanja	金弘集
Revised Romanization	Gim Hong-jip
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Hongjip
Pen name
Hangul	도원
Hanja	道園
Revised Romanization	Dowon
McCune–Reischauer	Towŏn
Courtesy name
Hangul	경능
Hanja	敬能
Revised Romanization	Gyeongneung
McCune–Reischauer	Kyŏngnŭng

Kim Hong-jip (1842–1896) was a Korean politician best known for his role as prime minister during the Gabo Reform period of 1895-1896. At first, his name was Kim Goeng-jip, then he changed name as Kim Hong-jip (Hangul: 김굉집).

His father, Kim Young-jak, serve as 'Kai-sung mayor' in Joseon Dynasty.

As a relatively young man in 1880, Kim Hong-jip had undertaken an official mission to Japan, where he learned first-hand of the modernizing reforms taking place in that country. This inspired in him a profound desire to effect such changes in Korea. After Gapsin Coup, he became the first vice-premier 'Jwauijeong' and he entered into a 'Korea-Japan Treaty of 1885'. Then, in 1896, Hong-jip was appointed a Prime minister to suppress Donghak Peasant Revolution. During this period, he abolished caste system in Joseon Dynasty, and he carried out the ordinance prohibiting topknots. After the assassination of Queen Min, "pro-Japan cabinet members like Kim Hong-jip and O Yun-jung were killed."

Do sightseeing throughout Japan

Summer in 1880, Kim Hong-jip went to Japan with Yun Ung-nyeol, Ji Seog-yeong and so on. This party was called 'Susinsa'. Hong-jip's party took a Japanese ship,'Chitose', and arrived on Tokyo in July 1880. They looked all around about Japan's modernization carefully while they stayed in Tokyo. But their ideology became as a Pro-Japanese. They agitated the Joseon to open Incheon ports to trade and claimed that the Japanese minister should reside in Joseon. These behaviors were Pro-Japanese activities, Hong-jip's party forgot their duties as a 'Susinsa'. Also they are surprised at Japan's hygienic, railroad and operation of a steam train and car. After returned to Joseon, Hong-jip introduced Huang Zunxian's stratagem of Joseon to be enlightened Joseon. So he promoted to the Minister of Culture and Education in Joseon Dynasty. But he resigned because of movement against to enlightenment by Confucian scholar. With Queen Min and Gojong's confidence, he resumed his seat as a Minister of 'Tongrigimuamun', which was a department to handles a military secret and general politics. He asserted that Joseon should join with Japan, Qing dynasty and America for contribute to global development. However, He was argued as a Pro-Japanese by Confucian scholar who opposed to enlightenment constantly.

Return to Joseon and Political activities

After returned to Joseon,1882, Kim Hong-jip was re-appointed to Joseon Dynasty because, at that time, Joseon was confronted by many problems, which was demanding trade from America and post treatment of Imo Incident. He concluded Japan-Korea Treaty of 1882 with Japan, and also make many agreements with British, Germany and America. When Hong-jip concluded Japan-Korea Treaty of 1882, he used his diplomatic ability, Joseon did not accommodate Japan's requirements. Due to this contributions, Hong-jip was promoted to governor of Gyeonggi-do.

Then Hong-jip was sent Qing dynasty, Tientsin, for liberation of Heungseon Daewongun. For liberation, He persuaded and negotiated with Li Hongzhang who was a head of that incident. Also, he concluded China-Korea Treaty of 1882 which was trade agreement. In 1883, He served as many position and became a practical head of foreign policy. He thought that it is important for Joseon to cooperate with other nations for Joseon's development. To do that, He also thought that Joseon should developed gradually, not radically. But his thought caused a hostility from Confucian scholar, even Heungseon Daewongun had a cynical attitude to him.

In 1884, when Gapsin Coup happened, Kim Hong-jip was appointed "Jwauijeong" and became an ambassador plenipotentiary, but he resigned because of Japan-Korea Treaty of 1885. Then he was demoted to a less important post, and he insisted an significance of opening a port. He was re-appointed to Jwauijeong in 1887, but he resigned shortly because local Confucian scholars denounced that Hong-jip was a traitor.

Kim Hong-jip cabinet

During Donghak Peasant Revolution, at first Queen Min asked for auxiliary troops to Qing dynasty, but Japan infiltrated into Joseon based on Convention of Tientsin. Kim Hong-jip formed cabinets in four times to enlist the help of Japan from 1894 until 1896.

The First Cabinet

July 23, 1894, Japanese troops attacked Gyeongbokgung Palace and took over armory to help Hong-jip's forces. And Hong-jip organized the First Cabinet and became a Prime minister. He brought back Heungseon Daewongun from Qing. Then he proceeded with Gabo Reform. He set up an organization for reform,'Gungukkimucheo', and became a governor of that. During the Gabo Reform, His cabinet abolished Gwageo, which was Joseon's imperial examination. Also, they reformed the monetary system, government system, weights and measures system.

The Second Cabinet

December 17, 1894, Japan brought Heungseon Daewongun down because he didn't follow Japanese way. Then, Japan broke up 'Gungukkimucheo' and brought back Park Young-hyo who was in exile. So, the second cabinet was a Kim Hong-jip and Park Young Hyo's coalition cabinet. They wrote a doctrine, Hongbeom-14 articles' which contained a reformation spirit. They also reorganized Joseon's government department that changed '8 A-mun' to '7 Bu'. And they reshuffled Joseon's territory that changed '8 Do' to '23 Bu'. The cabinet announced a protocol of entry education and established a normal school. But Hong-jip resigned from minister a short time later because of feuds with Park.

The Third Cabinet

Kim Hong-jip's third cabinet was organized after Qing-Japanese war. As a result of Japanese victory, Japan occupied the peninsular Liaodung. Other imperialist nation, France, Russia, Germany didn't want Japan's expansion. So they pressed Japan that was called the Triple Intervention. In this period, Joseon consisted Russophilism cabinet, which header was Kim Hong-jip. Japan felt threatened, they killed Queen Min and the third cabinet was collapsed.

The Fourth Cabinet

The Fourth Cabinet was a last Hong-jip's Cabinet. This Cabinet was a pro-Japanese. At first, Kim Hong-jip rejected to be a minister, the king Gojong pleaded to him. But the King was afraid of Japan, he carried out 'Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation'. Hong-jip was surprised at that decision, He wanted to meet Gojong. Unfortunately, Gojong issued order to arrest pro-Japanese officials. In the end, Hong-jip and his subordinates are killed by the publics.

The Last Period of His Lifetime

Pro-Japanese suspicion

Kim Hong-jip tried to change the legislative systems and garments and adopt to government manufacture of Japan. Also he implemented a solar calendar and the postal system to Joseon. That works were effected by Japan. According to the one report, there were some assertions that Hong-jip held additional post of Gungukkimucheo's master, during this period, he attracted Japanese minister to his cabinet and empowered to them.

An attempted suicide

In October 8th 1895, Queen Min was assassinated by Japanese, Kim Hong-jip tried to suicide. Just in time, Yu Kil-chun visited Hong-jip's house and stop him from suicide. He persuaded Hong-jip like, "Please calm down sir and listen to me. Your death cannot resolve anything. The queen already was killed and the situation was occurred. This state is that Japan stroke to us. However, It is a loyal work for king and nation to resolve a crisis. It is never too late to die after we do that. So please take it easy and deliberate on my opinion.″

Then, Hong-jip replied to Kil-chun like, "I know what you say. We endure all humiliation to the end for reformation and preservation of Joseon. However I do not forgive Japan about they killed our queen. As a major and loyal servant, how can I granted an audience with king and our subjects? My situation is different from yours. You have an important mission which resolve this crisis and save our nation, but in my case, there is only way that kill myself."

Persistently, Yu Kil-chun convinced Hong-jip and brought him to the royal court. At last, in October 9th 1895, the fourth cabinet was constructed.

A Tragic Death

Kim Hong-jip's cabinet was a Pro-Japanese cabinet. They implemented 'the ordinance prohibiting topknots' which was a radical policy, because of this, there were many rebellion in Joseon. In 1896, Russophilia became more powerful, This caused 'Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation'. As a result, Hong-jip's cabinet was collapsed and he was killed by public. Angry subjects trampled him to death. Joseon government got his corpse and cut off his head then expose his head in Gwanghwamun. His corpse was divided into 8 parts and sent Joseon's each region. Hong-jip's wife was afraid of the guilt-by-association system, she killed their sons and killed herself. Hong-jip's daughters was married before, They could avoid punishment.

References

• Kim Sang-ung(July 1, 1995).《100 years of Pro-Japanese Politics》. Seoul:East wind. p37
• Yoo Young-ik(1990).《Research of Gabo Reform》. Yiljogak.
• 《Global World Encyclopedia》. (Policy of Enlightenment and reverbelation).