Gim Yuk or Kim Yuk (
Hangul
The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The let ...
: 김육;
Hanja
Hanja (Hangul: ; Hanja: , ), alternatively known as Hancha, are Chinese characters () used in the writing of Korean. Hanja was used as early as the Gojoseon period, the first ever Korean kingdom.
(, ) refers to Sino-Korean vocabulary, wh ...
: 金堉; 1580 – September 1658) was a
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
n
Neo-Confucian
Neo-Confucianism (, often shortened to ''lǐxué'' 理學, literally "School of Principle") is a moral, ethical, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism, and originated with Han Yu (768–824) and Li Ao (772–841) in th ...
scholar, politician and writer of the
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
n
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 ...
. His nickname was Jamgok (잠곡, 潛谷), Hoejeongdang (회정당, 晦靜堂), a
courtesy name
A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...
was Baekhu (백후, 伯厚), and his posthumous name was Munjeong (문정, 文貞).
He came from the Cheongpung Kim clan (
Hangul
The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The let ...
: 청풍 김씨, Hanja: 淸風金氏
).
Gim Yuk served as
prime minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
of the
Joseon
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 ...
dynasty in 1651 and 1654 through 1658. He was Grandfather of
Queen Myeongseong
Queen Myeongseong (13 June 1642 – 21 January 1684) (명성왕후 김씨) of the Cheongpung Kim clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and queen consort of Yi Yeon, King Hyeonjong, the 18th Joseon monarch. She was queen consort of J ...
(명성왕후, 明聖王后) and 6G-Great-Grandfather of
Queen Hyoui
Queen Hyoui (Hangul: 효의왕후, Hanja: 孝懿王后; 5 January 1754 – 10 April 1821), of the Cheongpung Kim clan (Hangul: 청풍김씨, Hanja: 淸風金氏), was the wife and queen consort of King Jeongjo of Joseon. In 1899, Emperor Gojong ...
(효의왕후, 孝懿王后).
Biography
Family history
Gim Yuk was born on July 14, 1580 at Mapo, Hanyang (modern Seoul), where his maternal grandparents lived. His Great-Great-Grandfather Gim Shik (김식, 金湜, 1482–1520), who had supported
Jo Gwangjo
Jo Gwangjo (, 23 August 1482 – 10 January 1520), also often called by his pen name Jeong-am (), was Korean Neo-Confucian scholar who pursued radical reforms during the reign of Jungjong of Joseon in the early 16th century.
He was framed with ...
at ''Seonggyungwan'' (National Confucian Academy) by criticizing then ministers in power, was sacrificed during the literati purge in the year of Gimyo (기묘사화, 己卯士禍, 1519). After the incident, his family including his father, Gim Heung-wu, were excluded from the central government.
Thanks to his family background, however, Gim Yuk had an opportunity to be taught by famous scholars Seong Hon (성혼, 成渾) and
Yi I
Yi Yi (; December 26, 1536 – February 27, 1584) was a Korean philosopher, writer, and Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Yi I is often referred to by his pen name Yulgok ("Chestnut valley"). He was also a politician[Neo-Confucian
Neo-Confucianism (, often shortened to ''lǐxué'' 理學, literally "School of Principle") is a moral, ethical, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism, and originated with Han Yu (768–824) and Li Ao (772–841) in th ...]
leaders and power elite after a couple of decades. In fact, Gim Yuk's mother was the granddaughter of a brother of the above-mentioned
Jo Gwangjo
Jo Gwangjo (, 23 August 1482 – 10 January 1520), also often called by his pen name Jeong-am (), was Korean Neo-Confucian scholar who pursued radical reforms during the reign of Jungjong of Joseon in the early 16th century.
He was framed with ...
.
Early life
From childhood, Gim Yuk was called a prodigy as he learned by heart the whole Thousand-Character Classic (천자문, 千字文) at the age of five. In 1588, his grandfather, Gim Bi (김비, 金棐) was appointed as head of Gangdong-gun, Pyeongan-do, his father moved to Gangdong with family members. There, Gim Yuk was fortunately educated by Cho Ho-ik (조호익/曺好益), who had studied under a great scholar,
Yi Hwang
Yi Hwang (January 3, 1502– January 3, 1571) was the most important Korean philosopher, writer, and Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. He was a figure of the Neo-Confucian literati, established the Yeongnam School and set up the Dosan Seo ...
(이황, 李滉) and currently in exile at Gangdong.
At that time, Gim Yuk was a boy of literature. When he was 12 years old, he wrote some essays and biographies of famous pundits. While he was reading the ''Learning for Minors'' (소학, 小學). he was quite impressed by the words of
Cheng Hao
Chéng Hào (, 1032–1085), Courtesy name Bóchún (), was a Chinese philosopher and politician from Luoyang, China. In his youth, he and his younger brother Cheng Yi were students of Zhou Dunyi, one of the architects of Neo-Confucian cos ...
(程顥), "Whoever starts as a public official has an earnest mind to love the objects can help people." He bore in mind that only a public official can help people to live well.
When he was 13 years old, Gim Yuk had to undergo the
Imjin war
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 ...
. While he moved to the countryside to seek shelters, he did not stop reading books. During the war, his father passed away at the age of 31. At the deathbed, his father told him to enhance the family grade by studying hard, and to avoid any liquors. Gim Yuk kept his promise for life. His household deteriorated significantly, and his mother also died. He had to depend on his father's sister for living.
After Gim Yuk passed the ''jinsagwa'' (literary licentiate examination) in 1605, which allowed him to enter the ''
Seonggyungwan
Sungkyunkwan was the foremost educational institution in Korea during the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties. Today, it sits in its original location, at the south end of the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus of Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul ...
'' as his great-great-grandfather did. In 1610 as a student of ''Seonggyungwan'', he submitted the petition to King
Gwanghae (광해군, 光海君, 1575 - 1641 r.1608 - 1623) three times to forgive and restore his resentful teacher Seong Hon and to reinstate Five Wise Men ousted in the previous literati purge. The next year, he initiated a campaign at ''
Seonggyungwan
Sungkyunkwan was the foremost educational institution in Korea during the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties. Today, it sits in its original location, at the south end of the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus of Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul ...
'' to expel
Jeong In-hong
Jeong In-hong ( ko, 정인홍, 鄭仁弘; 26 September 1535 – 3 April 1623) was a scholar-official of the Joseon period of Korea. A general and a leader of the Northerners faction. He served as Chief State Councillor during the reign of Gwan ...
(정인홍, 鄭仁弘) in power from the Registry of Confucian Literati (청금록, 靑襟錄), who had criticized the great scholar
Yi Hwang
Yi Hwang (January 3, 1502– January 3, 1571) was the most important Korean philosopher, writer, and Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. He was a figure of the Neo-Confucian literati, established the Yeongnam School and set up the Dosan Seo ...
. On the contrary to his wish, he was expelled from the institution. He had to move to Jamgok-ri (잠곡리, 潛谷里), Gapeong-gun,
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, ''Gyeonggi'', means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, ''Gyeonggi-do'' can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Seoul, the na ...
, and became a farmer to make a living. He studied harder than before in a self-exile.
During that period from 1613 to 1623, Gim Yuk, denying King's pardoning, managed to get along, and experienced and witnessed the real peasant life in the countryside.
Royal and public service
In 1623, a military coup by the Westerners faction succeeded to dethrone King
Gwanghae. And a new King
Injo (인조, 仁祖. 1595 - 1649 r.1623 - 1649) was enthroned. In consequence, the public officials ousted by the previous government returned to the newly organized administration. Gim Yuk in seclusion was the first among them. He was appointed to a post in the royal law enforcement organ (의금부, 義禁府). But he was not satisfied with it.
In 1624, Gim Yuk passed
Gwageo
The ''gwageo'' or ''kwago'' were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' ability of writing composition and knowledge of the Chinese cla ...
, the literary civil service examination, receiving officially the highest marks. Now, he started his official career both at Hanyang and in the country. During the rebellion by Yi Gwal (이괄, 李适) in 1624, he escorted King
Injo to Gongju. After the incident, Gim Yuk served at Eumseong-gun, Chungcheong province and various ministries in the capital city. When he left Eumseong, its inhabitants were thankful to his good governance and erected a commemorative monument.
In January 1627 when Late Jin (later
Qing dynasty
The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...
) mounted up a
military pressure (정묘호란, 丁卯胡亂) on the northern territory of
Joseon
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 ...
, Gim Yuk asserted to put the first priority to alleviate the residents' burden by suspending the resident registration law.
In 1632, Gim Yuk was in charge of the funeral service of Queen Mother Inmok (인목대비, 仁穆大妃).
Diplomatic missions
During his public career, Gim Yuk was assigned to the diplomatic mission to visit Beijing, capital city of the
Ming dynasty
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...
three times.
In the winter of 1636, he visited Beijing to pay a seasonal courtesy call (성절사, 聖節使). In Beijing, he heard of the outbreak of the
Byeongja invasion of the Qing Army (병자호란, 丙子胡亂) and the humiliating surrender of King
Injo. He was allegedly crying day and night in Beijing. Upon arrival from Beijing, he recorded the diplomatic envoy's diary called ''Jocheon Ilgi'' (조천일기, 朝天日記), in which he described the civilized foreign country as well as the corruption of the Ming bureaucrats and confusing atmosphere of the Ming society.
In the winter of 1643 when Crown Prince Sohyeon was taken as a hostage to
Shenyang
Shenyang (, ; ; Mandarin pronunciation: ), formerly known as Fengtian () or by its Manchu language, Manchu name Mukden, is a major China, Chinese sub-provincial city and the List of capitals in China#Province capitals, provincial capital of Lia ...
(瀋陽), Gim Yuk was assigned to be held responsible for taking care of the crown prince (원손보양관, 元孫輔養官) at the Qing court. When he returned to
Joseon
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 ...
, he tried to get rid of evil practices to care for the diplomatic missions in the northern territory.
Reformist policy-maker
In 1638, he was appointed as the governor of
Chungcheong province
Chungcheong (''Chungcheong-do''; ) was one of the Eight Provinces (Korea), eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Chungcheong was located in the southwest of Korea. The provincial capital was located at Gongju, which had been the ...
. After he surveyed the fiscal base of the province and ongoing taxation results, Gim Yuk was convinced the necessity of implementing ''Daedongbeop'' (대동법, 大同法) in his jurisdiction. ''Daedongbeop'', which had been enforced in
Gyeonggi province
Gyeonggi-do (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, ''Gyeonggi'', means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, ''Gyeonggi-do'' can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Seoul, the na ...
since 1608, was purported to replace the taxation in kind like indigenous products to the unitary taxation of rice in a certain amount as explained below.
His public career was represented by reform-oriented policy making.
Right after the Jeongmyo invasion by the Late Jin (Qing) army in 1627, Gim Yuk was an advocate to support inhabitants of Pyeongan province and Hwanghae province, which were devastated by the war, to make a living. He proposed to separate the labor work levied on the inhabitants of Pyeongan province and Hwanghae province into ordinary farming and service in the army (병농분리, 兵農分離). He also asserted to cultivate military farms (둔전, 屯田) in the idle land to prepare for another war with enemy to the north.
Nationwide implementation of the said ''Daedongbeop'' was Gim Yuk's consistent efforts throughout his career. Once he said, "Colleagues around me laugh at me because what I speak of is only ''Daedongbeop'' from the beginning to the end." It was his firm belief based on the real world that ''Daedongbeop'' would stabilize the living of common people and ensure the fiscal soundness.
Apart from ''Daedongbeop'', Gim Yuk took it into consideration that:
* the emerging
Qing dynasty
The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...
was mounting up its political and military pressure on
Joseon
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 ...
;
* the Qing officials were demanding more and more contributions to their dynasty;
* the inhabitants in the northern territories and other part of the nation were burdened increasingly by tax and labor work in pursuit of Conquer-the-North policy (북벌정책, 北伐政策);
* the whole nation was plagued by such natural disasters each year as drought, flood, storm, earthquake, etc.
Accordingly, Gim Yuk thought it imperative to stabilize the living of common people by curtailing taxation, and to prevent the alienation of public sentiment. He forwarded his thoughts to other public officials as well as King
Injo and King
Hyojong
Hyojong of Joseon (3 July 1619 – 23 June 1659) was the seventeenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1649 to 1659. He is best known for his plan for an expedition to the Manchu Qing dynasty, and his campaigns against the Russian Empire a ...
(효종, 孝宗, 1619 - 1659 r.1619 - 1659).
''Daedongbeop'' as unitary taxation
While he served in the administration, Gim Yuk advocated ''Daedongbeop'' to be implemented nationwide. As a matter of fact, ''Daedongbeop'' was test-implemented at the suggestion of Hahn Baek-gyeom (한백겸, 韓百謙) in the name of ''Daegong Sumibeop'' (대공수미법, 貸貢收米法) in
Gyeonggi province
Gyeonggi-do (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, ''Gyeonggi'', means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, ''Gyeonggi-do'' can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Seoul, the na ...
. The policy proposal was endorsed by then Prime Minister Lee Won-ik (이원익, 李元翼) and came into force in September 1608 by setting up ''Seonhyecheong'' (선혜청, 宣惠廳) at Hanyang.
Judging from his personal experiences as a peasant at Jamgok-ri and a front-line public official at Eumseong,
Chungcheong province
Chungcheong (''Chungcheong-do''; ) was one of the Eight Provinces (Korea), eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Chungcheong was located in the southwest of Korea. The provincial capital was located at Gongju, which had been the ...
, Gim Yuk had got a firm belief that ''Daedongbeop'' was the best solution to alleviate the burden of peasants and to prevent corruptive practices of local government officials and merchant-middlemen (방납인, 防納人). A half of fiscal revenues had to be supplemented by indigenous products (공물, 貢物) of the region. Its purport seemed to benefit common people in the country. The problem was the intentional exploitation by the local government officials and merchant-middlemen. Occasionally, they demanded in collusion regional products which were hardly available owing to flood, drought or harmful insects, or even refused the direct provision of farmers on account of defects or quality of goods.
So Gim Yuk's countermeasures included the unitary taxation of 12 ''mal'' (말, 斗) per ''gyeol'' (결, 結). It may be interpreted as 5 ''mal'' by the modern measurement over eight thousand ''pyeong'' or 26,450 square meter. It's reasonable for a tax payer.
While he served as Governor of
Chungcheong province
Chungcheong (''Chungcheong-do''; ) was one of the Eight Provinces (Korea), eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Chungcheong was located in the southwest of Korea. The provincial capital was located at Gongju, which had been the ...
, Gim Yuk realized that it was urgently necessary to replace the indigenous products contribution system (공납제, 貢納制) with ''Daedongbeop'' which called for proportionate sharing of rice produced at the farm land.
However, factional interests were divided on the issue of ''Daedongbeop''. If ''Daedongbeop'' was implemented nationwide, it was largely to the benefit of farmers and common people. On the contrary, Confucian scholars and wealthy gentlemen in the country could find few benefits from the new system. Local government officials would lose the source of fringe benefits. That's why ''Daedongbeop'' failed to be continuously implemented beyond
Gyeonggi province
Gyeonggi-do (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, ''Gyeonggi'', means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, ''Gyeonggi-do'' can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Seoul, the na ...
. Opponents argued that its nationwide implementation would cause the decrease of fiscal revenues.
Gim Yuk tried to persuade King
Hyojong
Hyojong of Joseon (3 July 1619 – 23 June 1659) was the seventeenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1649 to 1659. He is best known for his plan for an expedition to the Manchu Qing dynasty, and his campaigns against the Russian Empire a ...
to adopt ''Daedongbeop''. At last in 1651, King Hyojong endorsed ''Daedongbeop'' in Chungcheong province. Unavoidably, Gim Yuk was departed from the mainstream bureaucrats represented by Kim Jip (김집, 金集) and
Song Si-yeol
Song Si-yeol ( ko, 송시열, Hanja: 宋時烈; 30 December 1607 - 19 July 1689), also known by his pennames ''Uam'' (우암) and ''Ujae'' (우재) or by the honorific ''Songja'' ( ko, 송자, Hanja: 宋子), was a Korean philosopher and politic ...
(송시열, 宋時烈), and caused the separation of anti-Gim Sandang (산당, 山黨, meaning 'the Mountain Party') and pro-Gim Handang (한당, 漢黨, meaning 'the Han River Party'). Gim Yuk was criticized as stubborn to the extreme. Even at his deathbed, he was wishing that ''Daedongbeop'' should be expanded to
Jeolla province
Jeolla Province (, ) was one of the historical Eight Provinces of Korea during the Kingdom of Joseon in today Southwestern Korea. It consisted of the modern South Korean provinces of North Jeolla, South Jeolla and Gwangju Metropolitan City as wel ...
, which was finally completed in 1657 by his successor Seo Pil-won (서필원, 徐必遠), Governor of
Jeolla province
Jeolla Province (, ) was one of the historical Eight Provinces of Korea during the Kingdom of Joseon in today Southwestern Korea. It consisted of the modern South Korean provinces of North Jeolla, South Jeolla and Gwangju Metropolitan City as wel ...
.
Other pragmatic policies
In addition to ''Daedongbeop'', Gim Yuk stressed on the use of currency or coin. Until then, only rice and cotton cloth were traded in exchange for merchandise. He asserted the circulation of coins would be conducive not only to distribution of goods but also to securing fiscal revenues. In 1651, ''Sangpyeong Tongbo'' (상평통보, 常平通寶) was first circulated in the metropolitan area and the Northwestern territory.
In this regard, he suggested the government to permit the private persons to develop silver mines across the country.
Gim Yuk was eager to make his thoughts on economy and pragmatic ideas to be realized in real life, for example:
* to use water wheels for irrigation in the farmland;
* to employ big wheel carts for easy transportation;
* to encourage and promote commerce and engineering contrary to conventional thoughts;
* to adopt the Western-style calendar system (시헌력, 時憲曆) for the convenience in real life;
* to print and distribute medical and disaster-survival reference books (구황벽온방, 救荒辟瘟方);
* to develop printing business for publishing and distribution of good books, and
* to dredge rivers in Hanyang to prevent flood in a rainy season.
Assessment and legacy
Gim Yuk was the best reformist-statesman of the
Joseon
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 ...
dynasty. Regardless of the mainstream
Neo-Confucianism
Neo-Confucianism (, often shortened to ''lǐxué'' 理學, literally "School of Principle") is a moral, ethical, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy
Chinese philosophy originates in the Spring and Autumn period () and Wa ...
, he paid attention to how to stabilize the living of common people. It was possible because Gim Yuk had an advantage of the descendant of a famous Gimyo martyr, and he was open-minded to pragmatism rather than philosophically oriented. He knew the limitation of a human being. As a matter of fact, he was taught by Neo-Confucianist Seong Hon and belonged to the Westerners faction (서인, 西人). But he managed to make a transition bridge to the
Silhak
Silhak was a Korean Confucian social reform movement in late Joseon Dynasty. ''Sil'' means "actual" or "practical", and ''hak'' means "studies" or "learning". It developed in response to the increasingly metaphysical nature of Neo-Confucianism ( ...
school (실학파, 實學派) in the next century.
Assessment
Sometimes, he was called a
Wang Anshi
Wang Anshi ; ; December 8, 1021 – May 21, 1086), courtesy name Jiefu (), was a Chinese economist, philosopher, poet, and politician during the Song dynasty. He served as chancellor and attempted major and controversial socioeconomic reforms k ...
(왕안석, 王安石) of Joseon by his critics and opponents. Truly, Gim Yuk was an unprecedented statesman of far-sighted view and action in that:
* He saw the current situation after the invasion of foreign armies as a critical moment of the nation;
* He warned the crisis might cause the alienation of common people;
* He suggested the tax burden of common people should be alleviated;
* He asserted the nationwide implementation of ''Daedongbeop'' and use of currency would help common people to survive such economic crises;
* He proposed a simple thing like a water wheel, a big wheel cart, and the new calendar system based on the solar system would make the living of people more convenient.
Gim Yuk's thoughts and policies are assessed to have a big influence on the ''Silhak'' movement in the 18th century.
[NAVER Encyclopedia, Kim Yu]
김육, 金堉
Doosan Baekgwa.
Legacy
Thanks to Gim Yuk's reform, the impoverished state revived and fiscal revenues increased. However, the power elite groups were indulged in factional strife-based disputes on the Confucian courtesy issues over royal funeral services. As the mainstream Neo-Confucianist
Song Si-yeol
Song Si-yeol ( ko, 송시열, Hanja: 宋時烈; 30 December 1607 - 19 July 1689), also known by his pennames ''Uam'' (우암) and ''Ujae'' (우재) or by the honorific ''Songja'' ( ko, 송자, Hanja: 宋子), was a Korean philosopher and politic ...
took power, such pragmatic policy ideas as proposed by
Ryu Seong-ryong
Ryu Seong-ryong (November 1542 – May 1607), was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He held many responsibilities including the Chief State Councillor position in 1592. He was a member of the "Eastern faction", and a follower o ...
and Gim Yuk were excluded in governing the nation. In the age of King
Yeongjo
Yeongjo of Joseon (31 October 1694 – 22 April 1776), personal name Yi Geum (Korean: 이금, Hanja: 李昑), was the 21st monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of King Sukjong, by his concubine Royal Noble Consort Suk ...
and King
Jeongjo
Jeongjo of Joseon (28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800), personal name Yi San (Korean language, Korean: 이산; Hanja: 李祘), sometimes called Jeongjo the Great (Korean language, Korean: 정조대왕; Hanja: 正祖大王), was the 22nd monarc ...
, it seemed the
Joseon
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 ...
dynasty and people enjoyed a renaissance.
When King
Jeongjo
Jeongjo of Joseon (28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800), personal name Yi San (Korean language, Korean: 이산; Hanja: 李祘), sometimes called Jeongjo the Great (Korean language, Korean: 정조대왕; Hanja: 正祖大王), was the 22nd monarc ...
died abruptly in 1800, the maternal relatives of royal family meddled in the policy-making and administration continuously, the
Joseon
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 ...
dynasty came near to demise. For the sake of policy-making like ''Daedongbeop'', Gim Yuk sought cooperation from power elite groups regardless of their fractional belonging. Although he belonged to the Westerners faction, he was taught by Cho Ho-ik from the Southerners faction, and close relationship with other politicians like Kim Se-ryeom, Cho Gyeong, etc. from the Southerners faction.
Works
* 'Jamgok Yugo' (Posthumous Works of Jamgok
잠곡유고 潛谷遺稿): Collection of Jamgok's poetry in Chinese, petitions addressed to King, official/private letters and essays, which were edited and published by Gim Yuk's descendant in the 18th century.
* 'Gimyo Palhyeonjeon' (Biographies of Eight Wise Men
기묘팔현전 己卯八賢傳): Gim Yuk recorded, and published in 1639, the life, career, achievements, etc. of eight scholars and public officials who had been sacrificed during the purge of literati in the year of Gimyo (기묘사화, 己卯士禍, 1519) including his Great-Great-Grandfather Gim Shik.
* 'Jamgok Pildam' (Jamgok's communications by writing
잠곡필담 潛谷筆談): Essays on what the author saw or heard of while studying, living, serving as a public official.
* 'Yuwon Chongbo' (Encyclopedia edited by Jamgok
유원총보 類苑叢寶): Encyclopedic reference books condensed and edited by Gim Yuk. Originally, the time-honored encyclopedia of 171 volumes published in China (古今事文類聚) had been read and used for citation by
Joseon
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 ...
scholars and gentlemen until many of them were lost during the two wars. In view of difficulties faced with scholars and students at that time, Gim Yuk contributed his time and energy in condensing and editing the original books into 47 volumes.
* 'Songdoji' (Official records of Songdo, 송도지, 松都誌): The history, geography, palaces and castles, population, economy and industry and administration of Songo (old capital of the Goryeo dynasty, modern Gaeseong), compiled and written by Gim Yuk.
* 'Haedong Myeongsinrok' (Biographies of Great Scholars and Public Officials of Korea, 해동명신록, 海東名臣錄) modeled after the biographies written by
Zhuzi (朱子 宋名臣言行錄): Gim Yuk authored this book in 1651, about over 300 great scholars and government officials of Shilla, Goryeo and Joseon.
* 'Hwangmyeonggiryak' (History of the Ming Dynasty, 황명기략, 皇明紀略) of China compiled by Gim Yuk in 1642.
* 'Jongdeok Sinpyeon' (New Text on Virtues, 종덕신편, 種德新編) modeled after the Learning for Minors. Gim Yuk authored this book in 1644 to educate moral virtues to common people based on the Confucian ethics.
Gallery
Image:Kim Yuk 01.jpg, Gim Yuk
Image:Korea-Portrait of Kim Yuk-Joseon.jpg, Gim Yuk
See also
*
Gim Jip
Kim Jip (1574–1656) was a Korean Joseon Neo-Confucian scholar, politician, educator and writer. He was also the teacher of Song Si-yeol and Song Jun-gil, great Korean Neo-Confucian scholars.
Family
* Great-Great-Grandfather
** Kim Jung-yu ...
*
An Bangjun
An Bangjun (July 20, 1573 – November 13, 1654) was one of the Neo-Confucian scholars, politicians and writers of the Korean Joseon Dynasty and he was a Righteous army(Uibyong) leader during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), Japanes ...
*
Queen Myeongseong
Queen Myeongseong (13 June 1642 – 21 January 1684) (명성왕후 김씨) of the Cheongpung Kim clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and queen consort of Yi Yeon, King Hyeonjong, the 18th Joseon monarch. She was queen consort of J ...
*
Queen Hyoui
Queen Hyoui (Hangul: 효의왕후, Hanja: 孝懿王后; 5 January 1754 – 10 April 1821), of the Cheongpung Kim clan (Hangul: 청풍김씨, Hanja: 淸風金氏), was the wife and queen consort of King Jeongjo of Joseon. In 1899, Emperor Gojong ...
*
Daedongbeop
*
Yi I
Yi Yi (; December 26, 1536 – February 27, 1584) was a Korean philosopher, writer, and Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Yi I is often referred to by his pen name Yulgok ("Chestnut valley"). He was also a politician[Seong Hon
Seong Hon (1535 – 1598) was a Korean philosopher, poet, and politician during the Joseon Dynasty. He was a Neo-Confucianist scholar who was a close friend of the scholar Yi I (Yulgok) and an older contemporary of Yi Hwang (Toegye), leader of th ...]
References
External links
Gim Yuk
Gim Yuk:Nate
Gim Yuk:Navercast
Gim Yuk
이달의 문화 인물 김육
백성을 먼저 생각한 조선 제일의 경제 전문가 잠곡 김육
* 효종을 좌절시킨 김육의 애민 고집]
Poetry of Gim Yuk to see Jamgok's
sijo
''Sijo'' () is a Korean traditional poetic form that emerged in the Goryeo period, flourished during the Joseon Dynasty, and is still written today. Bucolic, metaphysical, and cosmological themes are often explored. The three lines average 14 ...
, poems in Chinese, and King
Yeongjo
Yeongjo of Joseon (31 October 1694 – 22 April 1776), personal name Yi Geum (Korean: 이금, Hanja: 李昑), was the 21st monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of King Sukjong, by his concubine Royal Noble Consort Suk ...
's Ode to Jamgok Gim Yuk.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Yuk
1580 births
1658 deaths
People from Seoul
17th-century Korean philosophers
Korean politicians
Korean scholars
Korean Confucianists
Neo-Confucian scholars
17th-century Korean poets