Kim Hong-jip
Kim Hong-jip (Korean: 김홍집; 1842 – February 11, 1896) was a Korean politician best known for his role as prime minister during the Gabo Reform period from 1895–1896. His name was originally Kim Goeng-jip (김굉집) which he later changed to Kim Hong-jip. His father, Kim Yeong-jak, served as mayor of Kaesŏng in the Joseon Dynasty.
Kim Hong-jip | |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Joseon | |
| In office August 24, 1895 – February 11, 1896 | |
| Monarch | Gojong |
| Preceded by | Park Jeong-yang |
| Succeeded by | Kim Byeong-si |
| In office August 15, 1894 – May 28, 1895 | |
| Monarch | Gojong |
| Preceded by | new position |
| Succeeded by | Park Jeong-yang |
| Chief State Councillor | |
| In office June 25, 1894 – August 20, 1894 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Byeong-si |
| Succeeded by | position abolished |
| Left State Councillor | |
| In office December 13, 1887 – May 1, 1888 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Byeong-si |
| Succeeded by | Kim Byeong-si |
| In office October 1886 – October 1886 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Byeong-si |
| Succeeded by | Kim Byeong-si |
| In office October 21, 1884 – January 12, 1885 | |
| Preceded by | Sim Sun-taek |
| Succeeded by | Kim Byeong-deok |
| Right State Councillor | |
| In office December 7, 1884 – December 8, 1884 | |
| Preceded by | Sim Sun-taek |
| Succeeded by | Kim Byeong-deok |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1842 |
| Died | February 11, 1896 (aged 53–54) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 김홍집 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Gim Hongjip |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim Hongjip |
| Art name | |
| Hangul | 도원 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Dowon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Towŏn |
| Courtesy name | |
| Hangul | 경능 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Gyeongneung |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kyŏngnŭng |
In 1880, Kim undertook an official mission to Japan where he learned first-hand of the modernizing reforms taking place in that country and inspiring in him a desire to effect such changes in Korea. After the Gapsin Coup, he became the first vice-premier 'Jwauijeong' and entered into the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1885. Then, in 1896, Hong-jip was appointed as prime minister to suppress the Donghak Peasant Revolution. During this period, he abolished the caste system of the Joseon Dynasty and carried out an ordinance prohibiting topknots. After the assassination of Empress Myeongseong, "pro-Japan cabinet members like Kim and O Yun-jung were killed."