Kim Mun-gi

Kim Mun-gi (金文基, 1399 – 1456) was one of the Samjungsin (三重臣), the "Three Loyal Subjects." His birth name was Hyo-gi (孝基), his courtesy name was Yeogong (汝恭), and his art names were Baekchon (白村) or Ma-am (馬巖). He was the founder of the Chungui-gong branch (忠毅公派) of the Gimnyeong Kim clan (金寧 金氏). Born in Chungcheongbuk-do Okcheon, he was a civil official of Joseon and one of the loyal subjects of King Danjong. A memorial tablet for him is installed at Sayuksin Park in Noryangjin, Dongjak District, Seoul.¹

Life

Kim Mun-gi was born in Okcheon, North Chungcheong Province, in 1399 (early reign of Jeongjong). His original name was Hyo-gi (孝起), but because his father-in-law's name was Hyo-jeong (孝貞), he changed it to Mun-gi (文基). His father was Kim Gwan (金觀), posthumously appointed Chief State Councillor, and his son was Kim Hyeon-seok (金玄錫), who died a martyr together with him while serving as magistrate of Yeongwol County.

He passed the civil service examination in 1426, but after the death of his father he observed the three-year mourning period and was not appointed to office during that time. Afterward he served as Examination Compiler of the Office of Special Advisers (藝文館 檢閱) and Senior Remonstrance Officer of the Office of Remonstrance (司諫院 左獻納), and was then appointed Provincial Military Commander (都鎭撫) of Hamgil Province. He later returned to the capital and served concurrently as Acting Minister of Justice (兼知刑曹事), Vice Minister of the Ministry of War (兵曹參議), and Vice Minister of Justice (刑曹參判), among other posts.

In 1455, when King Sejo usurped the throne, Kim Mun-gi, serving as Minister of Works and Commander of the Three Armies (工曹判書兼三軍都鎭撫), secretly pursued a movement to restore King Danjong. However, the plan was exposed on the way through the betrayal of Kim Jil and Jeong Chang-son, and Kim Mun-gi, along with Seong Samun, Park Paengnyeon, , , and others, was arrested, while took his own life.