Elder brother of Empress Gi, a pro-Yuan magnate who held posts in the Liaoyang branch secretariat and was executed by King Gongmin
| Life | 1356 |
| Era | 고려 후기 |
| Clan | 행주 기씨 |
Gi Cheol (奇轍, d. 1356) was a powerful late-Goryeo figure of the Haengju Gi, with the Mongol name Bayan Buqa, and the elder brother of Empress Gi. His father was Gi Ja-o; he was the second son and had sons including Gi Sik, Gi Ju and Gi Ryun. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture classifies him as a pro-Yuan magnate.
As his sister's influence in the Yuan court grew he received a Yuan post and in Goryeo was made chief minister and Prince Deokseong. In 1343 he denounced King Chunghye to the Yuan secretariat and took a leading part in arresting the king for deportation. In 1355 the Yuan promoted him to Pingzhang Zhengshi of the Liaoyang branch secretariat and in 1356 added the title Grand Minister of Education.
He seized land and people, relying on his sister's prestige, and was accused of plotting with rebels of Ssangseong. On 18 May 1356 King Gongmin invited Gi Cheol, Gwon Gyeom, No Chaek and their kin to a small banquet and had them killed as they arrived, hunting down those who fled; 25 people died. This began Gongmin's anti-Yuan reforms, and Empress Gi's resentment is said to have led to the later Yuan-backed invasion of Goryeo.
On 18 May King Gongmin had Gi Cheol, Gwon Gyeom, No Chaek and their kin killed at a banquet, beginning his anti-Yuan reform.
No tomb is recorded after his execution.
Sons such as Gi Sik, Gi Ju and Gi Ryun are recorded; the family suffered heavily in this purge.