김육 金堉
Chief State Councillor who pushed the Daedong tax reform and the Sihyeon calendar; pen name Jamgok; posthumous title Munjeong
| Life | 1580 ~ 1658 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 청풍 김씨 |
Life & career
Gim Yuk (1580-1658), of the Cheongpung Gim clan, was a mid-Joseon official with courtesy name Baekhu, pen name Jamgok and posthumous title Munjeong. He is known as a fourth-generation descendant of Gim Sik. His father was Gim Heung-u and his mother a Hanyang Jo; his wife was of the Papyeong Yun clan. A Westerner (Seoin) faction man, he is said to have studied under Seong Hon, Gim Jang-saeng and Gim Sang-heon.
Starting as magistrate of Eumseong in 1624, he served in the Office of the Inspector-General and Office of Censors, and as Governor of Chungcheong from 1638 pressed to extend the Daedong tax reform while promoting water wheels and famine manuals. He became Right State Councillor in 1649 and Chief State Councillor twice (1651 and 1655-1658). He is counted a key figure in pushing the Daedong Law in Chungcheong and planning its spread to Jeolla.
He proposed adopting the Sihyeon calendar, in force from 1653, promoted carts, and urged minting and circulating copper coins, which began spreading from Pyeongan. He expanded and reprinted famine and plague manuals, directed compilation of the Veritable Records of King Injo, and proposed recasting metal type. His works include Jamgok Pildam and the collected writings Jamgokjip (1668).
Toward the Daedong Law
The Daedong Law collected tribute goods as rice and other grain. Gim Yuk urged its expansion from his governorship of Chungcheong, and his son Gim Jwa-myeong directed the Jeolla Daedong regulations issued in 1663, following his father’s last wishes.
Shrines
He is enshrined at Miwon Seowon in Yangpyeong, Bonggang Seowon in Cheongpung, Sungyang Seowon in Kaesong and Cheonggye Seowon in Gangdong; Jamgok Seowon was built in Gapyeong in 1704. Sources vary on the exact date of death.
Grave
He lies with his wife (Papyeong Yun) in the Munui-gong lineage cemetery in Sampae-dong, Namyangju. The spirit-way stele raised in 1664 is topped with two serpents contending for a pearl.
Descendants
Sons Gim Jwa-myeong and Gim U-myeong, grandson Gim Seok-ju, and granddaughter Queen Myeongseong, consort of King Hyeonjong.