Kim Jil
Encyclopedia
Kim Jil also often spelled Kim Chil, was a scholar-official of the early Joseon Dynasty
. He is remembered today primarily for his participation in, and betrayal of, the conspiracy led by the six martyred ministers
.
Kim was born to a family of the Andong Kim
lineage. His father was a leader of the State Council of Joseon
, and his paternal great-grandfather was Kim Sa-hyeong, who had been a leading supporter of Joseon Dynasty founder Taejo
. He passed the gwageo
examination in 1450, and served in various posts. He was appointed as saye (司藝) of the Seonggyungwan
academy in 1455, a position of the fourth jeong rank. Together with other officials including Seong Sam-mun and Choe Hang
, he came to be closely trusted by Munjong
, the current king. Munjong died shortly thereafter, and entrusted these officials with looking after his young heir Danjong
.
In 1455, Sejo
overthrew Danjong
and seized the throne for himself. Kim joined other high officials in a conspiracy to return Danjong to the throne. However, he lost heart at the last minute and betrayed the other conspirators to King Sejo. They were arrested and tortured, and many were killed together with their families.
Thereafter Kim was closely trusted by Sejo, and in 1459 he became vice-minister of the military and participated in revisions of national defense policy. In the 1460s, he rose to minister positions, first in the Ministry of Public Works and then in the Ministry of the Military. In 1466, he served on the State Council of Joseon
, a position to which he later returned; in the following year, he was made governor of Gyeongsang
province.
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. He is remembered today primarily for his participation in, and betrayal of, the conspiracy led by the six martyred ministers
Six martyred ministers
The six martyred ministers or Sayuksin were six ministers of the Joseon Dynasty who were executed by King Sejo in 1456 for plotting to assassinate him and restore the former king Danjong to the throne....
.
Kim was born to a family of the Andong Kim
Kim (Korean name)
Kim, sometimes spelled Gim, is the most common family name in Korea. The name is common in both modern-day North Korea and South Korea. The hanja used for the name means "gold," and although the character is usually pronounced 금 geum, it is pronounced 김 gim when used for the family name and...
lineage. His father was a leader of the State Council of Joseon
State Council of Joseon
The State Council of Joseon or Uijeongbu was the highest organ of government under the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. It was led by three officials known as the High State Councillors...
, and his paternal great-grandfather was Kim Sa-hyeong, who had been a leading supporter of Joseon Dynasty founder Taejo
Taejo of Joseon
Taejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
. He passed the gwageo
Gwageo
The gwageo were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' knowledge of the Chinese classics, and sometimes also of technical subjects...
examination in 1450, and served in various posts. He was appointed as saye (司藝) of the Seonggyungwan
Seonggyungwan
Sungkyunkwan, also called Taehak , was the foremost education institution in Korea during the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties.- History :...
academy in 1455, a position of the fourth jeong rank. Together with other officials including Seong Sam-mun and Choe Hang
Choe Hang
Choe Hang was the third dictator of the Choe Military regime, which dominated Goryeo for six decades before and during the Mongol invasions. Choe Hang continued on his predecessor Choe U's anti-Mongol policy, and refused to surrender to the invaders...
, he came to be closely trusted by Munjong
Munjong of Joseon
King Munjong was the fifth King of the Joseon Dynasty, who ruled Korea from 1450 to 1452. He was the eldest son of King Sejong the Great, and succeeded him in 1450, but died of disease two years later. He was succeeded by his son, Danjong of Joseon.Most of Munjong's achievements were performed...
, the current king. Munjong died shortly thereafter, and entrusted these officials with looking after his young heir Danjong
Danjong of Joseon
Danjong of Joseon was the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty.Danjong succeeded his father, Munjong of Joseon, at the age of 12...
.
In 1455, Sejo
Sejo of Joseon
Sejo of Joseon was the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He produced a coup d'etat and became king himself in 1455.-Reign:...
overthrew Danjong
Danjong of Joseon
Danjong of Joseon was the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty.Danjong succeeded his father, Munjong of Joseon, at the age of 12...
and seized the throne for himself. Kim joined other high officials in a conspiracy to return Danjong to the throne. However, he lost heart at the last minute and betrayed the other conspirators to King Sejo. They were arrested and tortured, and many were killed together with their families.
Thereafter Kim was closely trusted by Sejo, and in 1459 he became vice-minister of the military and participated in revisions of national defense policy. In the 1460s, he rose to minister positions, first in the Ministry of Public Works and then in the Ministry of the Military. In 1466, he served on the State Council of Joseon
State Council of Joseon
The State Council of Joseon or Uijeongbu was the highest organ of government under the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. It was led by three officials known as the High State Councillors...
, a position to which he later returned; in the following year, he was made governor of Gyeongsang
Gyeongsang
Gyeongsang was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongsang was located in the southeast of Korea....
province.
See also
- Joseon Dynasty politicsJoseon Dynasty politicsThe politics of the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910, were governed by the reigning ideology of Korean Confucianism, a form of Neo-Confucianism. Political struggles were common between different factions of the scholar-officials...
- List of Joseon Dynasty people
- List of Korea-related topics