Kim Jil

Kim Chil (; 1422 – February 24, 1478) was a scholar-official of the early Joseon Dynasty. He is remembered today primarily for his participation in, and betrayal of, the conspiracy led by the six martyred ministers.

Kim was born to a family of the Andong Kim clan. His father was a leader of the State Council of Joseon, and his paternal great-grandfather was Kim Sa-hyŏng, who had been a leading supporter of Joseon Dynasty founder Taejo. He passed the kwagŏ examination in 1450, and served in various posts. He was appointed as saye (司藝) of the Sungkyunkwan academy in 1455, a position of the fourth jeong rank. Together with other officials including Sŏng Sammun and Ch'oe Hang, he came to be closely trusted by Munjong, the current king. Munjong died shortly thereafter, and entrusted these officials with looking after his young heir Danjong.

In 1455, Sejo overthrew Danjong and seized the throne for himself. Kim joined other high officials in a conspiracy to return Danjong to the throne. However, he lost heart at the last minute and betrayed the other conspirators to King Sejo. They were arrested and tortured, and many were killed together with their families.

Thereafter Kim was closely trusted by Sejo, and in 1459 he became vice-minister of the military and participated in revisions of national defense policy. In the 1460s, he rose to various minister positions, first in the Ministry of Public Works and then in the Ministry of the Military. In 1466, he served on the State Council of Joseon, a position to which he later returned; in the following year, he was made governor of Gyeongsang Province.

His posthumous name was Munjŏng . Kim eventually became a great-great-great-grandfather to Kim Chajŏm.

Family Father Kim Chong-suk (?–1470) Mother Lady Yi Siblings Older brother - Kim Chak Older brother - Kim Chŏk Older brother - Kim Mu Wife and children Lady Jeong of the Dongrae Jeong clan (?–1458) Son - Kim Ŭidong Son - Kim Yedong Son - Kim Chidong Son - Kim Sŏngdong (; 1452 – 29 October 1495) Son - Kim Yidong Daughter - Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan