Kim Chwagŭn


Kim Chwagŭn was a Korean political figure from the Andong Kim clan, who held a number of high-ranking government positions in the late Joseon period, including Chief State Councillor at King Cheoljong's court. He was the younger brother of Queen Sunwon.

Biography

Kim Chwagŭn was born in 1797, as a member of the Andong Kim clan. His father was Kim Jo-sun and his mother was Lady Shim of Cheongsong. He was the fourth child of seven children.
In 1802, his older sister became the Queen of Joseon at the age of 13, when she married King Sunjo during his second year of reign.
In 1825, at the recommendation of his father, Kim served as a vice-deputy of Mupomgwanik, and in 1834 was promoted to the position of Cheomjong. In the second year of King Cheoljong's reign, he was appointed to several important positions. On February 25, 1853, he was appointed as Chief State Councillor, and though he attempted to resign, he was not allowed to until April 19, 1862. However, in September 1863, he was ordered to "return as chief minister". In 1862, he served as governor while Lee Jeong-cheong was trying to quell the Imsul Peasant Revolt, which was arising from the disturbance of Samjeong.
Until her death, on September 21, 1857, his older sister, Queen Sunwon, who has served as Queen Regent two times, had given immense political influence to the Andong Kim clan, which was the central figure in politics up until 1863 to 1864, when Heungseon Daewongun, with the help of Queen Sinjeong, stepped in during the regency of his son, King Gojong. When Gojong became King and Heungseon Daewongun came to power, Kim Jwa-geun withdrew from the position of Chief State Councillor, but continued to participate in government affairs. Together with his adoptive son, Kim Byeong-gi, he helped Heungseon Daewongun in his regency, since he had difficulty in maintaining the affairs of the state as he came from a distant royal line.
When he died in 1869, he was given the posthumous title of Chungik.
In 1990, the descendants of his adopted son donated the house where Kim Jwa-geun and his family had lived to the Seoul National University.

Family

  • Father
  • * Kim Jo-sun, Internal Prince Yeongan
  • Mother
  • * Internal Princess Consort Cheongyang of the Cheongsong Shim clan Siblings:
  • * Older brother: Kim Yu-geun ; became the adoptive son of Kim Yong-sun
  • * Older brother: Kim Won-geun
  • * Older sister: Queen Sunwon of the Andong Kim clan
  • ** Brother-in-law: King Sunjo of Joseon
  • * Older sister: Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan
  • * Older sister: Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan
  • * Older sister: Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan Wives and children:
  • * Lady Yun
  • ** Adoptive son: Kim Byeong-gi ; son of Kim Yeong-geun
  • * Concubine: Lady Naju of the Yang clan

In popular culture

Drama

Film