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 civil official during the reign of King Injong of Goryeo. His office rose to Chancellor (Munha Sijung), and as a minister he was a central figure at court.
In 1135 he served as supreme commander in suppressing the rebellion raised by Myocheong and others in the Western Capital (Pyongyang), and put it down. After retiring from office, he was commanded by the king to oversee the compilation of the History of the Three Kingdoms (Samguk Sagi) in 1145, which is the oldest surviving history of the Three Kingdoms period and became a fundamental source for the study of ancient Korean history.
Later generations have offered varied assessments of his Confucian historiographical narrative and his deferential (sadae) perspective, but his editorial achievement in compiling vast historical sources is highly regarded. His son Kim Don-jung (金敦中) also rose to high office.
His son Kim Don-jung (金敦中) is recorded in the sources; he too served as an official at the Goryeo court.