Kim Hong-jip
| Kim Hong-jip | |
 |
|
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 김홍집 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Gim Hong-jip |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim Hongjip |
| Pen name | |
| Hangul | 도원 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Dowon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Towŏn |
| Courtesy name | |
| Hangul | 경능 |
| Hanja | |
| 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 from 1895-1896. His name was originally Kim Goeng-jip which he later changed to Kim Hong-jip (Hangul: 김굉집). His father, Kim Young-jak, served as 'Kai-sung mayor' in the Joseon Dynasty.
In 1880, Kim Hong-jip 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 Queen Min, "pro-Japan cabinet members like Kim Hong-jip and O Yun-jung were killed."
In the summer of 1880, Kim Hong-jip went to Japan with Yun Ung-nyeol and Ji Seog-yeong. This party was called 'Susinsa'. Hong-jip's party took a Japanese ship, 'Chitose', and arrived at Tokyo in July 1880 where they observed and studied Japan's modernization carefully, their ideology becoming pro-Japanese. They agitated the Joseon to open Incheon's ports to trade, and claimed that the Japanese minister should reside in Joseon. They were also surprised at Japan's hygiene, railroad, and operation of steam trains and cars.
After returning to Joseon, Hong-jip introduced Huang Zunxian's stratagem of Joseon with the purpose of creating an enlightened Joseon. He was then promoted to the position of Minister of Culture and Education in the Joseon Dynasty. However, he resigned because of a movement against enlightenment by Confucian scholars. With Queen Min and Gojong's confidence, he resumed his seat as a Minister of 'Tongrigimuamun', which was a department that handled military secrets and general politics. He asserted that Joseon should join Japan, the Qing dynasty, and America in order to contribute to global development. However, he was often opposed and labeled as 'Pro-Japanese' by a Confucian scholar who opposed modernization.
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