Min Young-hwan
Min Yeong-hwan (민영환, 閔泳煥; 7 August 1861 - 30 November 1905) was a minister of the Korean Empire and known as a conservative proponent for reform. He was born in Seoul into the powerful Yeoheung Min clan which was the family that Heungseon Daewongun hated, and committed suicide as an act of resistance against the Eulsa Treaty imposed by Japan on Korea. He was a 13th degree nephew of Empress Myeongseong and a 14th degree cousin of Empress Sunmyeong. He is remembered today for his efforts on behalf of Korean independence in the waning days of the  Joseon dynasty and a statue to his memory now stands near the gates of Seoul's Changdeok Palace. As a military personnel, Min was a Lieutenant general (부장) which was the 4th highest rank of Imperial Korean Army. He was the commander of military police. Biography. Min's father, Min Gyeom-ho (민겸호, 閔謙鎬) was a minister in the Ministry of Finance ("Hojo"). Min Young-hwan passed the Gwageo 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. In July 1882, Seoul was shaken by the Soldier's Rebellion triggered by the disgruntled royal palace guards who had not received their wages for several months. This was an attempt of Heungseon Daewongun to come back to power. During this revolt Min's father was killed by the followers of Daewongun. As a result, Min resigned his posts and went into mourning. Other reason why Min left his office was because he was not happy with the ancient military systems . In 1884, Min reentered public service and was appointed an official of the Board of Personnel ("Ijo" 吏曹) and successively held various government posts, such as Vice-mayor of Seoul ("Hanseong Uyun" 漢城右尹). In 1895, Min was appointed as the first ambassador to the United States. However, the murder of his aunt, the Empress Myeongseong, by Japanese troops in October 1895, prevented his taking up the post. In April 1896, Min was appointed special ambassador and sent to Russia to attend the coronation of Czar Nicholas II. He and some others including Yun Chi-ho got on a boat in  Incheon. While going to the Russian Empire, Min pass through Canada, America, England, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. There he was surprised by capitalism of America and how Poland became a colony from a strong kingdom. Min finally arrived Russia and the coronation of Nicholas II. After the coronation, Min went to Saint Petersburg in order to contact with the government officials of Russia. Also, Russia send military adviser and financial adviser to Korea. He also inspected the military bases of Imperial Russian Army. After a six month journey Min returned to Korea in late October of the same year . After returning Korea, Min met King Gojong. In 1896, Min was appointed as Lieutenant general. He later became the minister of military. On 29 December 1896 (Lunar Calendar), Min prosecuted ten soldiers part of Chinwidae who made a fuss in the military court. In January 1897, Min was again sent to Europe as Korean envoy to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. These journeys served to further convince Min of the necessity of modernization. Upon his return to Korea, Min was an active supporter of the Independence Club, and was interviewed by its newspaper "The Independent" ("Dongnip Sinmun" 獨立新聞). This  made Min to be deeply part of Gwangmu Reform. In 1898, Min was appointed as Lieutenant General and special officer of Gungnaebu. He tried to strengthen the army by suggesting the establishment in Board of Marshals. This suggestion was confirmed by the Emperor and Board of Marshals was established in the Deoksugung. In 1899, when Prince Henry of Prussia visited Korea, Min was ordered to go to port and meet him. In 1900, Min became head of accounting of Board of Marshals. He also became the commander of military police at the same time. In 1902, Min with Yun Yong -seon asked the establishment of Order of the Auspicious Stars. On 8 March 1904, Min was appointed as minister of education. But he asked for resign to the Emperor because he wasn't the right person. Therefore, on 26 May 1904, Min was appointed as head of accounting of Board of Marshals. However, Min got criticism because he didn't do his duty. On 26 August 1904, Min was appointed as one of the military editor of Korean Empire. For his merits, Min got Order of the Plum Blossom on 16 September 1904. On 27 September 1904, Min was appointed  as the chief of equerry. As vice prime minister, Min tried to stop shaman from being spread since it is illegal and widespread. He was appointed as chief of equerry again then, on 9 September 1905, Min was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs. On November 17, 1905, Japan succeeded in foisting upon Korea the Eulsa Treaty making Korea a Japanese protectorship. It is said that upon hearing of the treaty three days after it had been concluded, Min "fainted several times and vomited blood." Min and many other officials pleaded with King 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" ("Eulsa ojeok"). But, his remonstrances silenced by Japanese force, Min decided to commit suicide as a final act of resistance and protest by a loyal official. On November 30, 1905, Min cut his own throat. After this death, in his pockets were found five identical messages on the back of his calling cards to the representatives of China, Great Britain, the United States, France, and Germany in which he pleaded with those powers to recognize the true situation within Korea. He also  left a final message directed towards the people of Korea (see below), in which he promised to help his fellow countrymen "from the nether world" if they would strengthen their collective will and spirit and exercise their learning in an all out effort to "restore our [Korean] freedom and independence." Some officials, including Jo Byeongse, Hong Mansik, Yi Sangcheol, and even Min's rickshaw puller, committed suicide following Min's death. Other than these, many civilians had committed suicide following his. Others, perhaps inspired to action by Min's death, joined righteous armies ("uibyeong"). Min was posthumously conferred with the  army's highest rank. Gojong gave him posthumous name 'Chung jeong Gong (Chung jeong Duke)'. Posthumously, the emperor awarded Order of the Golden Ruler for his honor to the country. In 1914, Sunjong of Korea gave 100 Won to Min's house when his daughter married. In 1962 Min was again posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation. Reforms. Since Min was deeply contributed to Gwangmu Reform, Min's reforms are very notable. Many reforms that were purposed by Min were actually made. Military Reforms and Political Reforms. Min knew that the military system of Joseon was not  modernized. Therefore, Min tried to do military reforms. He engaged in the establishment of Military Academy of Korean Empire, which helped educating young officers. He also was part of the establishment of Siwidae, increasing the Qinwidae, establishment of military band and establishment of Board of Marshals. Min was in charge of military budget as the Director of Finance of Board of Marshals. Min was part of composing National anthem of the Korean Empire where he wrote the lyrics of it. He also tried to increase the authority of Emperor by making ensign of Emperor, Crown Prince, and Princes. He also  was a supporter of Junchuwon which was the senate of Korean Empire, which shows that Min also tried to prevent the authority of Emperor to be too strong. Supporting Independence Club. Min was a great supporter of the Independence club. Min had conflicts with Hwangguk Club, and members of Hwangguk Club even tried to murder Min. Min always supported the Independence Club. Education. Min tried to make people educated. Min established schools with his property and sent students to other countries to study there. He established a school named Honghwa school. Blood Bamboo. One year after Min's death, it  was widely reported that a bamboo plant appeared where his bloody clothes had been laid. Many people thought the bamboo grew nurtured by Min's blood so that the bamboo was called "Hyeoljuk" (血竹), or "Blood Bamboo". Amazingly, the number of its leaves was 45, Min's age at the time of his death. Following its discovery people crowded to witness this bamboo, some taking pictures. The Japanese government thought it was either a natural phenomenon or pure fabrication and sent officials to Min's former home to investigate. Mysteriously, they discovered the bamboo had no roots and was proven  not to be fabricated . The Blood Bamboo was preserved and is now housed at the Korea University Museum along with items of Min's clothing and other personal effects. In East Asian tradition bamboo is a symbol of loyalty and uprightedness. Trivia. Yeong-hwan and his younger brother, Yeong-chan, are cousins with Empress Sunmyeong and Emperor Gojong. He is a distant nephew to Empress Myeongseong and a step-great-great-great-great-grandson to Queen Inhyeon's younger half-brother. Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok is his adoptive aunt as his father, Min Gyeom-ho, is her adoptive younger  brother. Min Won-sik, the adoptive nephew-in-law of Imperial Consort Sunheon, is also a 7th degree nephew of Min.