Gim Myeong-won (1534–21 January 1603), also known as Kim Myeong-won, was a high official of the

Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

, who served

King Seonjo Seonjo of Joseon (26 November 1552 – 16 March 1608) was the fourteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1567 to 1608. He was known for encouraging Confucianism and renovating state affairs at the beginning of his reign. However, politi ...

during the Seven Year War. Born to a

yangban The ''yangban'' () were part of the traditional ruling class or gentry of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The ''yangban'' were mainly composed of highly educated civil servants and military officers—landed or unlanded aristocrats ...

family of the

Gyeongju Gim Gyeongju ( ko, 경주, ), historically known as ''Seorabeol'' ( ko, 서라벌, ), is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, ...

lineage, he was the son of another high-ranking official, Gim Man-gyun. He passed the

civil service examination Civil service examinations are examinations implemented in various countries for recruitment and admission to the civil service. They are intended as a method to achieve an effective, rational public administration on a merit system for recruiti ...

with the highest score in 1561, and was made '' jwachamchan'', a post of the second junior rank under the

State Council State Council may refer to: Government * State Council of the Republic of Korea, the national cabinet of South Korea, headed by the President * State Council of the People's Republic of China, the national cabinet and chief administrative auth ...

. He gained prominence in 1589 when he exposed the treachery of provincial official

Jeong Yeo-rip Jeong Yeo-rip (korean:정여립; hanja:鄭汝立, 1546 - 1589) was a Korean politician of the Joseon period. His pen name was Jukdo, and his courtesy name name was Inbaek. Popular culture * Portrayed by Ahn Nae-sang in the 2004-2005 KBS1 TV seri ...

, 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, Gim took up military duty, leading the Joseon army to consecutive defeats at

the capital ''The Capital'' (also known as ''Capital Gazette'' as its online nameplate and informally), the Sunday edition is called ''The Sunday Capital'', is a daily newspaper published by Capital Gazette Communications in Annapolis, Maryland, to serve ...

and again at the

Imjin River The Imjin River ( in South Korea) or Rimjin River ( in North Korea) is the 7th largest river in Korea. It flows from north to south, crossing the Demilitarized Zone and joining the Han River downstream of Seoul, near the Yellow Sea. The river i ...

. 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 (, , ) is the capital and largest city of North Korea, where it is known as the "Capital of the Revolution". Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 populatio ...

. After the first wave of the war was over, KGim 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.Lee et al. (1983), p. 234. Gim led the Joseon armies once again after the Japanese re-invasion of 1597. He was made Supreme Councillor (''uuijeong'', 우의정) of the

in that year. After his death, Gim was given the posthumous title of ''Chungik-gong'' (忠翼公), "Loyal-winged general."

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