Independence patriot · Righteous army (uibyeong) · Patriotic Medal (Aegukjang, 2008)
| Life | 1870 ~ 1909 |
| Era | 근현대 |
| Clan | 경주 김씨 |
Kim Yeon-seong (金演性, 1870–1909) was a righteous army (Ŭibyŏng) leader who fought Japanese forces in the Yangju and Jeokseong areas of Gyeonggi Province. Born in Yangju in 1870, he is said to have shown early academic talent and studied at Seonggyungwan. From September to December 1907 he led a force of 30 to 40 fighters in anti-Japanese resistance in the Yangju and Jeokseong region.
Around October of that year, aiming to advance on Seoul, he sent circular letters to righteous army leaders across the country (excluding the northwest) urging them to gather in Yangju, working toward forming a nationwide united righteous army and planning an operation to rescue Emperor Gojong. He died for the nation's cause in 1909, and in 2008 was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation (Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal).