Mid-Goryeo civil official and scholar; supervising editor of the History of the Three Kingdoms (Samguk Sagi)
| Life | 1075 ~ 1151 |
| Era | 고려 |
| Clan | 경주 김씨 |
Of the Gyeongju Kim clan, Kim Bu-sik was a leading statesman of Goryeo under King Injong, rising to the top post of Munhasijung and standing at the center of the royal court as chief minister.
In 1135 he was appointed supreme commander to suppress the rebellion raised by Myocheong and others at Seogyeong (present-day Pyongyang), which he successfully put down. After later retiring from office, he was recalled by royal order and, as director-general in 1145, led a compilation team of eleven officials to complete the Samguk Sagi, the oldest surviving history of the Three Kingdoms period and a foundational source for the study of ancient Korean history.
His Confucian historiographical stance and perceived deference to China have drawn mixed later assessments, but his achievement in assembling a vast body of historical material is highly regarded. His son Kim Don-jung also reached high office, but Kim Don-jung's reckless conduct helped provoke the resentment of military officers such as Jeong Jung-bu, contributing to the military coup of 1170.
His son Kim Don-jung (金敦中) is recorded in the sources; he too served as an official at the Goryeo court.