Kim Hong-jip

In the summer of 1880, Kim 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.[3]

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 recently formed 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.[4]

After returning to Joseon in 1882, Kim was re-appointed to the Joseon Dynasty because, at the time, the Joseon was confronted by many problems, including demanding trade from America and the aftermath of the Imo Incident. He finalized the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1882 with Japan and, using his diplomatic ability, was able to deny many of Japan's requirements, for which he was promoted to governor of Gyeonggi-do.[5] He also made many agreements with Britain, Germany and America.

Hong-jip was then sent to Qing dynasty, Tianjin, for liberation of Heungseon Daewongun. For the purpose of liberation, he persuaded and negotiated with Li Hongzhang, who was a head of that incident. In 1883, he served in many positions and became a practical head of foreign policy. He thought it was important for Joseon to cooperate with other nations for their own development. He also thought that Joseon should developed gradually, not radically. But his thought caused a hostility from a Confucian scholar, and even Heungseon Daewongun had a cynical attitude toward him. In 1884, when the Gapsin Coup occurred, Kim was appointed "Jwauijeong" and became an ambassador plenipotentiary, but he resigned because of the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1885. He was then demoted to a less important post, and he insisted on opening a port. He was re-appointed to Jwauijeong in 1887, but resigned shortly after because local Confucian scholars denounced him as a traitor.[6]

During the Donghak Peasant Revolution, Queen Min first asked for auxiliary troops to Qing dynasty, but Japan infiltrated Joseon using the Convention of Tientsin. Kim formed cabinets on four occasions to enlist the help of Japan from 1894 until 1896.[7]

Kim's cabinet was a pro-Japanese cabinet. They implemented "the ordinance prohibiting topknots" which was a radical policy, leading many rebellions in Joseon. In 1896, Russophilia became more powerful. This caused 'Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation'. As a result, Hong-jip's cabinet collapsed and he was killed by the public. Angry subjects trampled him to death. The Joseon government got his corpse and cut off his head, then exposed it in Gwanghwamun. His corpse was divided into 8 parts and one was sent to each region of Joseon. As Hong-jip's wife was afraid of the guilt-by-association system, she killed their sons and killed herself. Because Hong-jip's daughters were married before, they were able to avoid punishment.[10]

• 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).