Min Young-hwan

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)".[1]

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.[2]

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.[3][4] After a six month journey Min returned to Korea in late October of the same year. After returning Korea, Min met King Gojong.[5] In 1896, Min was appointed as Lieutenant general. He later became the minister of military.[6] On 29 December 1896 (Lunar Calendar), Min prosecuted ten soldiers part of Chinwidae who made a fuss in the military court.[7] In January 1897, Min was again sent to Europe as Korean envoy to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.[8]

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.[9] In 1898, Min was appointed as Lieutenant General[10] and special officer of Gungnaebu.[11] 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.[2] In 1899, when Prince Henry of Prussia visited Korea, Min was ordered to go to port and meet him.[12] In 1900, Min became head of accounting of Board of Marshals.[13] He also became the commander of military police at the same time.[14] In 1902, Min with Yun Yong-seon asked the establishment of Order of the Auspicious Stars.[15] On 8 March 1904, Min was appointed as minister of education.[16] But he asked for resign to the Emperor because he wasn't the right person.[17] Therefore, on 26 May 1904, Min was appointed as head of accounting of Board of Marshals.[18] However, Min got criticism because he didn't do his duty.[19] On 26 August 1904, Min was appointed as one of the military editor of Korean Empire.[20] For his merits, Min got Order of the Plum Blossom on 16 September 1904.[21] On 27 September 1904, Min was appointed as the chief of equerry.[22] As vice prime minister, Min tried to stop shaman from being spread since it is illegal and widespread.[23] He was appointed as chief of equerry again[24] then, on 9 September 1905, Min was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs.[25]

Min Yeong-hwan in his dress suit

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."[26] 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).[27] 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."[28]

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.[29] 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)'.[30] Posthumously, the emperor awarded Order of the Golden Ruler for his honor to the country.[31] In 1914, Sunjong of Korea gave 100 Won to Min's house when his daughter married.[32]

In 1962 Min was again posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation.[2]

Since Min was deeply contributed to Gwangmu Reform, Min's reforms are very notable. Many reforms that were purposed by Min were actually made.

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.[34]

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.

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.

• Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Min Yu-jung (민유중, 閔維重) (1630 - 1687); Queen Inhyeon's father
• Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
  • Internal Princess Consort Pungchang of the Pungyang Jo clan (풍창부부인 풍양 조씨, 豊昌府夫人 豊壤 趙氏) (1659 - 1720); Min Yu-jung's third wife
• Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Min Jin-yeong (민진영, 閔鎭永) (1682 - 1724); Queen Inhyeon's younger half-brother
• Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Min Ak-su (민악수, 閔樂洙)
• Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Min Baek-sul (민백술, 閔百述)
• Great-Grandfather
  • Min Dan-hyeon (민단현, 閔端顯)
• Great-Grandmother
  • Lady Park of the Malyang Park clan (본관: 말양 박씨, 朴氏); (박일환의 딸) daughter of Park Il-hwan (박일환, 朴日焕)
• Grandfather
  • Min Chi-gu (민치구, 閔致久) (1795-1874)
• Grandmother
  • Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (? - 17 November 1873). (전주 이씨, 全州 李氏); (이옥의 딸) daughter of Yi Ok of Dongdeokrang (1773 - 1820) (통덕랑 이옥, 李火玉); aunt to Yi Ha-jeon, Prince Gyeongwon (경원군 이하전) (1842 - 1862)
• Father
  • Min Gyeom-ho (민겸호, 閔謙鎬) (1838 - 10 June 1882)
    • Aunt: Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok (순목대원비, 純穆大院妃) (1818 - 1898)[35]
    • Uncle: Min Tae-ho (민태호, 閔泰鎬) (1834 - 1884)[36]
    • Uncle: Min Seung-ho (민승호, 閔升鎬) (1830 - 1874)[37]
    • Aunt: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (본관: 여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏); married Sim Eung-taek (심응택, 沈應澤) of the Cheongsong Sim clan (본관: 청송 심씨, 靑松 沈氏)
• Mother
  • Lady Seo (서씨, 徐氏); (서경순의 딸) daughter of Seo Gyeong-sun (서경순, 徐庚淳)
• Sibling(s)
  • Younger brother: Min Yeong-chan (민영찬, 閔泳瓚) (1873 - 1948)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Kang of the Geumcheon Kang clan (금천 강씨, 衿川 姜氏); Min Yeong-chan's first wife
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Me-ri of the Hu clan (후메이리, 胡美梨); Min Yeong-chan's second wife (Chinese)
      • Nephew: Min Hong-sik (민홍식, 閔弘植)
      • Niece: Lady Min
• Wife and children
  • Lady Park Soo-young of the Bannam Park clan (박수영 반남 박씨); daughter of Park Yong-hun (박용훈)
    • Son: Min Beom-sik (민범식, 閔範植) (1896 - ?)
      • Grandson: Min Byeong-cheol (민병철, 閔丙哲)
      • Grandson: Min Byeong-gi (민병기, 閔丙岐) (1926 - 1986); former professor at Korea University
      • Grandson: Min Byeong-il (민병일, 閔丙逸)
    • Son: Min Jang-sik (민장식, 閔章植)
      • Grandson: Min Byeong-deok (민병덕, 閔丙德)
      • Grandson: Min Byeong-jin (민병진, 閔丙鎭)
    • Son: Min Gwang-sik (민광식, 閔光植)
      • Grandson: Min Byeong-seop (민병섭, 閔丙燮)
      • Grandson: Min Byeong-geon (민병건, 閔丙建)

• Portrayed by Jo Seung-yeon in the 2012 film Gabi.

 Korean Empire

• Order of the Golden Ruler (Posthumously)
• Order of the Plum Blossom