1. Min Young-hwan 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.
52 Facts About Min Young-hwan
1. 2.
Min Young-hwan is remembered today for his efforts on behalf of Korean independence in the waning days of the Joseon period.
3.
On 7 August 1861, Min Young-hwan was born in to the Yeoheung Min Young-hwan clan.
4.
Min Young-hwan passed the Gwageo literary examination in 1878 and thereupon entered into government service as a junior librarian in the Royal Library.
5.
Min Young-hwan continued to rise through the ranks of Joseon officialdom, holding a succession of posts including a position in the Office of Special Advisors and tutor to the Crown Prince.
6.
Min Young-hwan was one of the favorite officials of the King, being posted to numerous important posts.
7.
However, during the Imo Incident, Min Young-hwan's father was killed by the followers of Daewongun, an event that led Min Young-hwan to resign to mourn for his loss.
8.
In 1884, Min Young-hwan reentered public service and was appointed an official of the Board of Personnel.
9.
In March 1886, Min Young-hwan, who was posted as Hyeoppan Naemubusa, was ordered to secure Korea's independence by borrowing Russia's influence to check Qing's increasing influence.
10.
Min Young-hwan aimed to suppress the revolution by stabilising public, arresting revolutionists, providing enough supplies to the Government army, and protecting government offices.
11.
Jeon Bongjun, who was the leader of the Donghak, denounced Min Young-hwan as being one of the most corrupted officials in the government with Min Young-hwan Young-jun, and Go Young-gun.
12.
On 3 April 1896, Min Young-hwan was appointed as special minister to Russia to participate in the coronation of Czar Nicholas II.
13.
Min Young-hwan proclaimed his full devotion of doing anything for the reform of Korea.
14.
The newspaper noted that Min Young-hwan had three accomplishments: strengthening amicable relationship with Russia, advertising independence of Korea, and bringing Russian instructors.
15.
Min Young-hwan successfully brought the Russian instructors to Korea on 26 October 1896.
16.
On 19 January 1897, Min Young-hwan arranged a traditional memorial ceremony in Cheon Nyeon Jong.
17.
Min Young-hwan had conflicts with Colonel Dmitry Putyata : Putyata complained Min's incapacity for numerous times.
18.
Min Young-hwan ended up resigning the post on 15 January 1897.
19.
On 11 January 1897, Min Young-hwan 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.
20.
Min Young-hwan 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.
21.
Two diplomatic trips to Europe made Min Young-hwan to be deeply engage in Gwangmu Reform.
22.
Min Young-hwan initiated military reform, starting with ordering all officers and soldiers to wear military uniforms on 14 October 1898.
23.
On 5 November 1898, Min Young-hwan founded Heunghwa School arguing that people should import Western culture.
24.
Min Young-hwan averred the reason why tax was not collected was because local officials are corrupted, and tried to stop the corruption of the local officials.
25.
Min Young-hwan lost his fell from the power and was replaced by conservative politicians.
26.
On 15 March 1899, Min Young-hwan was appointed as envoy reside in America.
27.
On 19 February 1900, Min Young-hwan became head of accounting of the Board of Marshals, and for his service as the head of accounting of the Board of Marshals, Min Young-hwan received 1st Class of the Order of the Taegeuk.
28.
Min Young-hwan 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.
29.
For instance, in 1902, Min Young-hwan established Reform party with Yi Dong-hwi.
30.
Min Young-hwan started his efforts to revolutionize the Korean officialdom from education, suggesting the appointment of government officials among the graduates of public schools and graduates of private school should enter the officialdom with an exam.
31.
The reform that Min Young-hwan desired to bring was planned to be a gradual change in 3 or 4 years.
32.
On 26 March 1905, Min Young-hwan was appointed as the prime minister following the resignation of Cho Byeong-shik.
33.
Min Young-hwan recommended Han Kyu-seol as the next prime minister in order to prevent Korea being Japanese protectorship.
34.
Min Young-hwan pleaded with Emperor Gojong to annul the treaty and execute the five Korean officials who had signed it, now widely referred to as the "Five Traitors of Eulsa".
35.
Min Young-hwan returned to house of Yi Won-sik, and committed suicide there with a small knife.
36.
That night, Min Young-hwan attempted twice to commit suicide: first trial was unsuccessful because the knife was too short to kill him.
37.
Min Young-hwan was posthumously appointed as Dae-Gwang-Bo-Guk-Seung-Rok Dae-bu, the highest rank in the Korean officialdom.
38.
Min Young-hwan was enshrined in the Jongmyo on 16 February 1921.
39.
In 1962, Min Young-hwan posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation by the South Korean government.
40.
Since Min Young-hwan visited many European countries and witnessed their military system, he was considered as the best man to mobilise the Imperial Korean Army by Europeans.
41.
However, Min Young-hwan did not met the expectations after he was appointed as minister of military.
42.
Min Young-hwan brought Russian military instructors to modernise the army in 1896 and was appointed as Minister of Military right after returning from russia.
43.
Min Young-hwan engaged in the establishment of Military Academy of Korean Empire.
44.
Min Young-hwan contributed to the augment of the Qinwidae, establishment of the Siwidae, the military band and the Board of Marshals.
45.
In 1904, Min Young-hwan was appointed as one of the Editors of Military system, even though it was a military reform led by Imperial Japan to check the growing of Imperial Korean Army.
46.
Min Young-hwan wrote the lyrics for the national anthem of the Korean Empire.
47.
Min Young-hwan tried to increase the authority of the Emperor by making an ensign of Emperor, Crown Prince, and Princes.
48.
Simultaneously, Min Young-hwan supported Korean parliament, Jungchuwon, which weakened the authority of the Emperor.
49.
When government led by Bak Jeongyang and Min Young-hwan was formed on 13 October 1897, after days of protests of the Independence Club, the government started to actually establish a parliament.
50.
However, the emperor checked the reform advocating government officials, such as Min Young-hwan, by posting pro-Russian, conservative officials in important positions.
51.
Min Young-hwan was part of the club from when it was Jeongdong Club, with Yun Chi-ho, Ye Wanyong, Yi Sang-jae, and Soh Jaipil.
52.
From many travels around the world, Min Young-hwan realised the need of the Joseon to reform its system.