Min Yŏnghwan (; 7 August 1861 – 30 November 1905) was a politician, diplomat, and general of the Korean Empire and known as a conservative proponent for reform. He was born in Seoul into the powerful Yeoheung Min clan which Heungseon Daewongun hated, and committed suicide as an act of resistance against the Eulsa Treaty imposed by Japan on Korea. He is remembered today for his efforts on behalf of Korean independence in the waning days of the Joseon period.
Biography
Early life On 7 August 1861, Min was born in to the Yeoheung Min clan. Min's father, Min Gyeom-ho () was the Minister of Finance (Hojo). Min Yŏnghwan passed the Gwageo literary examination in 1878 and thereupon entered into government service as a junior librarian in the Royal Library (Gyujanggak).
Min continued to rise through the ranks of Joseon officialdom, holding a succession of posts including a position in the Office of Special Advisors (Hongmungwan 弘文館) and tutor to the Crown Prince. Min was one of the favorite officials of the King, being posted to numerous important posts. However, during the Imo Incident, Min's father was killed by the followers of Daewongun, an event that led Min to resign to mourn for his loss. In fact, his aversion of the ancient military systems also contributed to the leaving of Min. In 1884, Min reentered public service and was appointed an official of the Board of Personnel (Ijo 吏曹).
In March 1886, Min was ordered to secure Korea's independence by borrowing Russia's influence to check Qing's increasing influence. With Gaehwa Party, Min attempted to sign Second Choseon-Russia Secrete Agreement to achieve the King's will; however, this conspiracy was spotted by Min Young-ik, and Yuan Shikai. Such efforts made Li Hongzhang to consider even the abdication of Korean king. Gojong's plan thus failed, and Gaewha politicians, such as Gim Ga-jin and Gim Hak-wu, were banished. Even still, he did not find himself being punished. Despite all, at a young age, Min rose into power as Minister of Yejo in 1887, and Minister of Military in 1888 and 1890 respectively for him enjoying the love of the king.
Over the course of his career, Min actively led the modernization of Joseon. In an attempt to build a modernized navy, Min established Choseon navy or Gi Yeon Hae Bang Young and employed an American navy instructor. In 1893, Min became the Justice Minister (刑曹判書), and in November of that year, Min was appointed as Mayor of Seoul (漢城府判尹).
During the Donghak Peasant Revolution, Min was appointed as Byeol Ip-jik on 14 September 1894 (Lunar Calendar). Min aimed to suppress the revolution by stabilising public, arresting revolutionists, providing enough supplies to the Government army, and protecting government offices. Due to his harsh reactions, Min was hated by the revolutionists. Jeon Bongjun, who was the leader of the Donghak, denounced Min as being one of the most corrupted officials in the government with Min Young-jun, and Go Young-gun. After the Revolution, in 1895, Min was appointed as a minister to the United States. However, the murder of the Queen, by Japanese troops in October 1895, prevented him from taking the post.
Portrait by Henry Savage-Landor In his Korean travel memoirs published in 1895, the artist A. Henry Savage-Landor records an interview and sketch portrait sitting by Min, known (in English) as Prince Min-Yŏnghwan. At that time the Prince was Commander-in-chief of the army, and extended courtesy and gifts to the artist.Chapter XI in Corea or Cho-sen, Land of the Morning Calm A. Henry Savage-Landor (1895) William Heinemann, London https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/13128/pg13128-images.html#Page_166 Retrieved 17 September 2023
Visits to Europe On 3 April 1896, Min was appointed as special minister to Russia to participate in the coronation of Czar Nicholas II. Min received 20,000 Dollars from the Korean government for journey and embarked on ship named Empress on 11 April in Incheon. As a member of the Jeong-Deong Club, Min was familiarized with many foreigners in Korea, while being a moderate and loyal politician in the government; these traits made Min the perfect candidate to be sent to Russia for a diplomatic mission. Upon arriving Yokohama on 16 April, they visited Korean Legation and sailed to Canada, and on 29 April, they arrived at Vancouver. On 5 May, they arrived in Montreal. Afterwards, they visited New York City and embarked RMS Lucania. After 7 days of sailing, Min's delegation arrived in Liverpool. Next day, they arrived at the Berlin Friedrichstraße station; then by 8:00 AM on 18 May, they reached Warsaw. They were welcomed by military officers in there. On 19 May, they got on a train to Moscow, and finally arrived at Moscow on 20 May. Next day, Min visited the Palace of the Governor of Moscow. On 22 May, Min visited the Czar. Min gave the letter of Korean king to the Czar. The Czar answered to Min, "Whenever it shall please your Majesty to inquire into the affairs of Corea, the Envoy extraordinary, is prepared and authorized by his government to present to Your Majesty in full the condition and needs of Corea." To contact with Russian politicians, Min visited Saint Petersburg. There, he met Aleksey Lobanov-Rostovsky, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and gave the five requests of the Korean government. The five requests were the following:
Guard for the protection of the King until the Corean army be drilled into a reliable force. Military instructors Advisors: One for the Royal Household to be near the King; one for the Ministry; one for mines, railroads, etc. Telegraphic connections between Russia and Corea on terms beneficial to both―An expert in telegraphic matters. A loan of 3 million Yen to cancel the Japanese debt.
On 13 June, Min received answers from Lobanov. Lobanov answered that providing guards for the Korean King will not be possible because of predictable conflicts with English or German, but agreed with sending an economy instructor for paying off debt, establishing telephone lines and sending military inspectors. Even though Russia showed a half-hearted answer to Korea, Min brought 13 Russian military instructors to Korea. These instructors were contract workers of the Joseon Government with three years of service. After receiving answer from Lobanov, Min's delegation stayed in Russia until August and inspected Russian facilities, including military bases, courts, prisons, schools, and military bases.Bella Pak. Russian diplomacy and Korea.1888–1897. Moscow: Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences,2004 . 271 p. Then, they returned to Korea through Novgorod, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok, finally returning on 21 October 1896 and gave the letter of Nicholas II to Gojong in Russian legation. Soon after his return, Min got interviewed by the Tongnip sinmun, in which he said that the trip to Europe made him a new man. He proclaimed his full devotion of doing anything for the reform of Korea. The newspaper noted that Min had three accomplishments: strengthening amicable relationship with Russia, advertising independence of Korea, and bringing Russian instructors. Despite all that, Min himself was regretting for not completely getting consent for the other three rejected request (advisors, telegraphic connections, and loans), according to Yun Chi-ho who accompanied through all the journey. Even still, Koreans were happy for the aforementioned accomplishments done by Min not frustrated by the failure of him.
Right after the journey, on 12 November 1896, Min was appointed as Lieutenant general and Minister of Military. Min successfully brought the Russian instructors to Korea on 26 October 1896. As such, Min was expected to be a great military leader to modernise the Korean army. These Russian instructors trained about 800 guards, which helped Gojong to return to the palace from the Russian legation.
Other than the military reform, Min was also active in commemoration of Korean Army. Min, as the minister, was active with commemorating the deceased personnels of Korea during various events. On 19 January 1897, Min arranged a traditional memorial ceremony in Cheon Nyeon Jong.
However, Min's term as the minister of military was ephemeral. He had conflicts with Colonel Dmitry Putyata (the leader of the Russian instructors): Putyata complained Min's incapacity for numerous times. Furthermore, Min's excessively radical reforms such as requiring short hairstyle made him unpopular among conservatives and the emperor himself. Min ended up resigning the post on 15 January 1897.
On 11 January 1897, Min was again sent to Europe as Korean minister plenipotentiary to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria and received 40,000 Dollars from the Government as the expense for his trip. Another order that Min received from the government was to sign a secrete treaty with France and Germany for the protection of Korean autonomy. Min traveled to Saint Petersburg to persuade Russian government prolonging the term of Karl Ivanovich Weber, repeal Weber's appointment as Russian envoy to Mexico, and organize a secrete treaty between Russia and Korea. However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia did not agree with Min's requests. Finally, on 5 June, Min arrived at London and joined Min Sang-ho next day. The two, however, were rejected from the British government. British secretary attached to Min, Cavendish, reported this fact to British financial instructor Brown and supposed that this failure was because of Min's younger brother Min Yeong-chan whom he assessed as the most unpleasant person. Even worse, Min failed to sign treaties with France and Germany, bringing no diplomatic success from the trip. Without finishing his duty, Min abruptly left Europe on 17 July 1897 and traveled to America, which delayed deployment of Russian instructors in Korea. The Korean government was furious about Min's failure that they halted their financial support to him and Min Sang-ho; Gojong, furthermore, removed him from his position on 30 July 1897.
Korean Empire and suicide Upon his return to Korea, Min became a fervent supporter of the Independence Club and was interviewed by its newspaper The Independent (Dongnip Sinmun 獨立新聞). Two diplomatic trips to Europe made Min to be deeply engage in Gwangmu Reform. Despite his numerous request many reforms, only some (mostly about military) were actually executed. After Bak Jeongyang cabinet was formed, Min returned to the Korean politics as a Special official of Gungnaebu. Then, Min rose into the power as Minister of Military and Interior on 12 October 1898. Min initiated military reform, starting with ordering all officers and soldiers to wear military uniforms on 14 October 1898. On 5 November 1898, Min founded Heunghwa School arguing that people should import Western culture. On 4 December 1898, Min became Chamjung of State Council of Korean Empire, and Minister of Economy on 20 December 1898. Min averred the reason why tax was not collected was because local officials are corrupted, and tried to stop the corruption of the local officials. However, as the emperor started to oppress the liberal faction of Korea, Min, as a liberal politician, saw his positioned being threatened. Min lost his fell from the power and was replaced by conservative politicians. On 15 March 1899, Min was appointed as envoy reside in America. On 19 February 1900, Min became head of accounting of the Board of Marshals, and for his service as the head of accounting of the Board of Marshals, Min received 1st Class of the Order of the Taegeuk. He was posted as the military police commander from 2 August 1900, and on 9 August Min was appointed as President of the Pyeo-hun Won.
During that time, Min continued on to support the reform-favoring faction. For instance, in 1902, Min established Reform party with Yi Dong-hwi. The party succeeded the Independence Club as the reforming fraction of Imperial Korea.