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Kim Myŏng-wŏn

1534 – 1602

Korean official

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About Kim Myŏng-wŏn

Lived 1534 – 1602 (aged 67–68). Kim Myŏng-wŏn was a Korean military officer.

Kim Myŏngwŏn (; 1534 – 10th day, 12th month of 1602), was a high official of the Korean state Joseon, who served King Seonjo during the Imjin War.

Born to a yangban family of the Gyeongju Kim clan, he was the son of another high-ranking official, Kim Mangyun . He passed the civil service examination with the highest score in 1561, and was made chwach'amch'an, a post of the second junior rank under the State Council. He gained prominence in 1589 when he exposed the treachery of provincial official Chŏng Yŏrip, who was plotting to attack the capital. At this time, he received the title of "Prince Kyŏngnim" (경림군).

Upon the outbreak of war in 1592, Kim took up military duty, leading the Joseon army to consecutive defeats at the capital and again at the Imjin River. However, he remained vital to the royal family, as he led the army which guarded their retreat to Sunan in the far north following the surrender of Pyongyang. After the first wave of the war was over, Kim retired from his post as general due to illness. He subsequently served in four ministerial posts in turn, those of Punishments, Rites, Public Works, and Military Affairs. Kim led the Joseon armies once again after the Japanese re-invasion of 1597. He was made Right State Councilor (uŭijŏng, 우의정) of the State Council in that year.

After his death, Kim was given the posthumous title of Ch'ungik-gong (忠翼公), "Loyal-winged general."

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Important facts

Born
1534
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Gim Myeong-won, Kim Myeong-won, Kim Myeongwon, Kim Myŏngwŏn

People in Kim Myŏng-wŏn's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Kim Myŏng-wŏn's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Kim Myŏng-wŏn?

Korean official

When was Kim Myŏng-wŏn born?

Kim Myŏng-wŏn was born in 1534.

When did Kim Myŏng-wŏn die?

Kim Myŏng-wŏn died on 13 December 1602.

What was Kim Myŏng-wŏn's occupation?

Kim Myŏng-wŏn was a military officer.

What nationality was Kim Myŏng-wŏn?

Kim Myŏng-wŏn was Korean.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Kim Myŏng-wŏn

· Wikidata: Q704476

· DBpedia: Kim Myŏngwŏn

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kim Myŏng-wŏn. https://biography.guide/kim-myong-won-military-officer/

MLA: "Kim Myŏng-wŏn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kim-myong-won-military-officer/.

Chicago: "Kim Myŏng-wŏn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kim-myong-won-military-officer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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