Kim Myeong-won
Encyclopedia
Kim Myeong-won was a high official of the Joseon Dynasty
, who served King Seonjo
during the Seven Year War. Born to a yangban
family of the Gyeongju Kim lineage, he was the son of another high-ranking official, Kim Man-gyun. He passed the civil service examination
with the highest score in 1561, and was made jwachamchan, a post of the second junior rank under the State Council
. He gained prominence in 1589 when he exposed the treachery of provincial official Jeong Yeo-rip, who was plotting to attack the capital. At this time, he received the title of "Prince Gyeongnim" (경림군).
Upon the outbreak of war in 1592, Kim took up military duty, leading the Joseon army to consecutive defeats at the capital
and again at the Imjin River
. However, he remained vital to the royal family, as he led the army which guarded their retreat to Sunan in the far north following the surrender of Pyongyang
.
After the first wave of the war was over, Kim retired from his post as general due to illness. He subsequently served in four ministerial
posts in turn, those of Punishments, Rites, Public Works, and Military Affairs. Kim led the Joseon armies once again after the Japanese re-invasion of 1597. He was made Supreme Councillor (uuijeong, 우의정) of the State Council
in that year.
After his death, Kim was given the posthumous title of Chungik-gong (忠翼公), "Loyal-winged general."
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...
, who served King Seonjo
Seonjo of Joseon
King Seonjo ruled in Korea between 1567 and 1608. He was the fourteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty. He is known for encouraging Confucianism and renovating state affairs at the beginning of his reign, although political chaos and his incompetent leadership during the Japanese invasions of Korea...
during the Seven Year War. Born to a yangban
Yangban
The yangban were part of the traditional ruling class or nobles of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The yangban were either landed or unlanded aristocracy who comprised the Korean Confucian idea of a "scholarly official." In reality, they were basically administrators and bureaucrats who...
family of the Gyeongju Kim lineage, he was the son of another high-ranking official, Kim Man-gyun. He passed the civil service examination
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...
with the highest score in 1561, and was made jwachamchan, a post of the second junior rank under the State Council
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...
. He gained prominence in 1589 when he exposed the treachery of provincial official Jeong Yeo-rip, who was plotting to attack the capital. At this time, he received the title of "Prince Gyeongnim" (경림군).
Upon the outbreak of war in 1592, Kim took up military duty, leading the Joseon army to consecutive defeats at the capital
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
and again at the Imjin River
Imjin River
The Imjin River is a river of North and South Korea. It flows from North to South, crossing the Demilitarized Zone and joining the Han River downstream of Seoul, very near the Yellow Sea.- History :...
. However, he remained vital to the royal family, as he led the army which guarded their retreat to Sunan in the far north following the surrender of Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
.
After the first wave of the war was over, Kim retired from his post as general due to illness. He subsequently served in four ministerial
Six Ministries of Joseon
The Six Ministries of Joseon were the major executive bodies of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. They included ministries of Personnel , Taxation , Rites , Military Affairs , Punishments , and Public works .It was established in 1298...
posts in turn, those of Punishments, Rites, Public Works, and Military Affairs. Kim led the Joseon armies once again after the Japanese re-invasion of 1597. He was made Supreme Councillor (uuijeong, 우의정) of the State Council
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...
in that year.
After his death, Kim was given the posthumous title of Chungik-gong (忠翼公), "Loyal-winged general."
See also
- List of Joseon Dynasty people
- 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...
- Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea
- List of Korea-related topics