金奎植의 부친 金鏞元의 가계와 생애

The Lineage and Life of Kim Yongwon, Father of Kim Kyusik

Kim Jiseong was known as father of Kim Kyusik. His original name was Kim Yongwon. He was a loyal painter of Dohwaseo (royal painting bureau) who participated in the drawing of the portrait of King Cheoljong. He accompanied to the diplomatic party to Japan in 1876. He was fascinated by the photography. After returning to Korea, he became one of the close aid to King Gojong. He assigned as Wuhu (naval officer) to the naval fortress at Dongrae in 1880 where Japanese settlement was established. Kim Kyusik, his third child, was born there in 1881. He associated with Japanese officers in Dongrae Waegwan for learning and acquiring modern knowledge. He established glass factory in Dongrae. In 1881, he was despatched as one of twelve special delegates of King Gojong to Japan. He learned glass making, silver mining, and chemical analysis. He stayed in Osaka and Kyoto for two years. He returned to Korea in 1883 and opened the first photo studio in Seoul. He was despatched as King Gojong’s secret envoy to Russia in November 1884. He accompanied with one officer and two interpreters. When he arrived at Vladivostok, he had secret conference with Russian military commissioner. He conveyed King Gojong’s requests to Russian emperor including Russia’s custody, conclusion of mutual treaty, land trade, and despatch naval vessels to Korean coast. He returned to Seoul in May 1885. At the moment, Korean-Russo secret agreement was divulged and he was stuck in the political turmoil. He was banished to Yeochon, Gyongsang Bukdo. He was released in 1891, but suffered from tuberculosis and died at his hometown Hongchon in 1892. Kim Kyusik’s mother died in 1885 when his father was in banishment. Kim Kyusik ended up in an orphanage in 1886 which was established by missionary Horace Underwood. He inherited his father’s legacy including contacting with modern world, studying abroad, learning pragmatic knowledge, and diplomatic mission.