민영익 閔泳翊

Politician who headed the 1883 mission to the United States, central figure of the Min in-law faction, painter and calligrapher; pen name Unmi

Life & career

Min Yeong-ik (1860-1914) was a late Joseon politician from Yeoheung, with courtesy name Uhong and pen names Unmi, Jungmi, Wonjeong and Cheonsimjukjae. Born the only son of Min Tae-ho, he was adopted as heir of Min Seung-ho after the latter's death in the 1874 explosion; Sunjong's consort Empress Sunmyeong was his younger sister. His seventh-generation ancestor Min Yu-jung had a daughter who became Queen Inhyeon, but the family declined afterwards and his childhood is said to have been poor until Empress Myeongseong became queen in 1866 when he was seven.

After passing the civil examination in 1877 he supported moderate reform of the 'Eastern ways, Western tools' kind, ran the Byeolgigun, and in 1881 held posts such as Gunmusa Dangsang of Tongni Gimu Amun. In 1883, in return for the arrival of U.S. minister Foote, a goodwill mission was sent to the United States; Min Yeong-ik headed it as chief envoy and plenipotentiary, crossing America from San Francisco and presenting credentials to President Chester Arthur in New York, then touring Boston and returning via Europe.

In the 1884 Gapsin Coup he was the first attacked by assassins and gravely wounded, but was rescued by Mollendorff and saved by the American physician Horace Allen. He later served as Minister of War and Mayor of Hanseong, but in 1886 he secretly informed Yuan Shikai about the government's pro-Russian policy, was put in a difficult position and fled to Hong Kong; after returning he became Uijeongbu Chanjeong in 1898. After the 1905 Eulsa Treaty he was linked to a plot to depose Gojong and went to Hong Kong again, and even after the 1910 annexation he stayed in Shanghai without returning, dying in 1914. He was skilled at running script and at ink orchid painting.

Chief Envoy of the Mission

The 1883 mission was Joseon's first delegation to the United States, with Min Yeong-ik as chief envoy; the party crossed the Pacific and then the continent from San Francisco.

Family and Adoption

He succeeded his adoptive father Min Seung-ho, and Empress Myeongseong is said to have treated him like a younger brother; the age gap was only nine years.

Grave

He died in Shanghai; the exact location of his grave could not be confirmed in this research.

Descendants

Son Min Jeong-sik. Empress Sunmyeong was his younger sister.

Other 여흥 민씨 figures