Kim Jil

Who was Kim Jil?

Kim Jil, also often spelled Kim Chil, was a scholar-official of the early Joseon Dynasty. He is remembered today primarily for his participation in, and betrayal of, the conspiracy led by the six martyred ministers.

Kim was born to a family of the Andong Kim lineage. His father was a leader of the State Council of Joseon, and his paternal great-grandfather was Kim Sa-hyeong, who had been a leading supporter of Joseon Dynasty founder Taejo. He passed the gwageo examination in 1450, and served in various posts. He was appointed as saye of the Seonggyungwan academy in 1455, a position of the fourth jeong rank. Together with other officials including Seong Sam-mun and Choe Hang, he came to be closely trusted by Munjong, the current king. Munjong died shortly thereafter, and entrusted these officials with looking after his young heir Danjong.

In 1455, Sejo overthrew Danjong and seized the throne for himself. Kim joined other high officials in a conspiracy to return Danjong to the throne. However, he lost heart at the last minute and betrayed the other conspirators to King Sejo. They were arrested and tortured, and many were killed together with their families.

Thereafter Kim was closely trusted by Sejo, and in 1459 he became vice-minister of the military and participated in revisions of national defense policy. In the 1460s, he rose to minister positions, first in the Ministry of Public Works and then in the Ministry of the Military. In 1466, he served on the State Council of Joseon, a position to which he later returned; in the following year, he was made governor of Gyeongsang province.