View source for Yi Yong-ik

{{Short description|Korean military officer (1854–1907)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Yi Yong-ik
| successor           = [[Yun Ung-nyeol]]
| awards              =
| birth_date          = 1854
| successor2          = [[Bak Jeongyang]]
| predecessor2        = Shim Sang-hun
| monarch2            = [[Gojong of Korea|Gojong]]
| birth_place         = [[Myongchon County]], [[Hamgyong Province]], [[Joseon]]
| order2              = Minister of Currency
| predecessor         = [[Min Young-Cheol]]
| monarch             = [[Gojong of Korea|Gojong]]
| order               = Korean Minister of Military (23rd)
| caption             =
| image               = Lee Yong-ik Portrait.jpg
| death_place         = [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russian Empire]]
| death_date          = 1907 (aged 52-53)
| constituency        =
| party               =
| profession          = Official
| religion            =
| signature           =
| footnotes           = <!--Military service-->
| nickname            =
| branch              = {{army|Korean Empire}}
| serviceyears        = 1901–1907
| rank                = Lieutenant General
| allegiance          = {{flag|Korean Empire}}
}}
'''Yi Yong-ik''' ({{Korean|hangul=이용익|hanja=李容翊}}; 6 January 1854 – 1907) was an official, and politician of the [[Korean Empire]]. As an official, Yi was very interested in education. He established Bosung College, which later became [[Korea University]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-03-22|script-title=ko:"고려대 설립자는 김성수 아닌 이용익"|url=http://www.kunews.ac.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=5511|access-date=2022-01-29|website=고대신문|language=ko}}</ref> As an officer he was also a lieutenant general of the [[Imperial Korean Army]].
== Biography ==
On 6 January 1854, Yi was born in [[Myongchon County]], [[Hamgyong Province]], [[Joseon]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |script-title=ko:이용익(李容翊)|url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0045266 |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]}}</ref> His father, Yi Hak-shin, was an official who passed the civil service exam in 1837.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:한국역대인물 종합정보 시스템 - 한국학중앙연구원 [이학신(李學新) 인물 정보]|url=http://people.aks.ac.kr/front/dirSer/exm/exmView.aks?exmId=EXM_SA_6JOc_1837_030968|access-date=2022-01-29|website=people.aks.ac.kr}}</ref> His family was a poor, but Yi learned Chinese characters from [[Seodang]]. Before becoming an official, Yi was a peddler.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|script-title=ko:이용익|url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1135204&categoryId=39748|access-date=2022-01-29|website=terms.naver.com|language=ko}}</ref> During the [[Gapsin Coup]], Yi took Min Young-ik, who was attacked by the Gaewha factions, to [[Horace Newton Allen]]. From this incident, Yi became close with [[Min Young-ik (1860)|Min Young-ik]]. In 1882, during [[Imo Incident]] he helped Min Young-ik to contact with [[Empress Myeongseong]]. After the Imo Incident, Gojong appointed him as Busa of [[Tanchon]]. In Tanchon, Yi discovered tremendous amount of golds, which aided the government financially.<ref name=":0" />
For these accomplishments, Yi became a high ranked financial officer of the royal family. But in 1888, Yi was indict for the rebellion in Bukcheong. Yi enforced peasants to pay inordinate tax, provoking a rebellion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=조선왕조실록|url=http://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kza_12509011_003|access-date=2022-01-29|website=[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty]]}}</ref> Because of the rebellion, Yi was banished to [[South Jeolla Province]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=조선왕조실록|url=http://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kza_12510012_002|access-date=2022-01-29|website=[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty]]}}</ref> On 28 April 1896, Yi was ordered to supervise mining of South Western area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=조선·대한제국 관보 |title=從二品李容翊이가監理西北諸府金礦事務을被命홈 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/level.do?setId=298&totalCount=298&itemId=gbdh&synonym=off&chinessChar=on&page=1&pre_page=1&brokerPagingInfo=&types=&searchSubjectClass=&position=7&levelId=gbdh_1896_04_28_a00311_00060&searchKeywordType=BI&searchKeywordMethod=EQ&searchKeyword=%EC%9D%B4%EC%9A%A9%EC%9D%B5&searchKeywordConjunction=AND |access-date=2022-08-07}}</ref> After [[Gojong's internal exile to the Russian legation]], Yi rapidly rose to power with Gojong's favor. However, such rapid rise led Yi to face challenges from the original officials.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=우리역사넷 |title=이용익[李容翊]: 보부상 출신에서 대한제국의 실세로 |url=http://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/kc/view.do?levelId=kc_n403900&code=kc_age_40 |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=contents.history.go.kr}}</ref>
From the Korean Empire period, Yi became the most important politicians of the Korean Empire. W.F. Sands described him as the manager of Korean royal estate, and keeper of the Korean Imperial stamp.{{Sfn|Yi|2021|p=147}} Yi attempted to increase the royal estate through the Jeon-hwan Section. The [[Independence Club]] criticized his policy of increasing royal asset, addressing it as a method to prevent the progress of the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=신편한국사 |title=1) 광무정권과 궁내부 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/level.do?sort=levelId&dir=ASC&start=1&limit=20&page=1&pre_page=1&setId=36&totalCount=36&prevPage=0&prevLimit=&itemId=nh&types=&synonym=off&chinessChar=on&brokerPagingInfo=&levelId=nh_042_0030_0030_0010&position=9}}</ref> During the 1900s, Yi was posted as important posts, such as manager of royal estate, Vice Minister of Ministry of Economy, Commander of Military Police, and Minister of Military.{{Sfn|Yi|2021|p=147}} Yi prepared the economic reform based on loans. [[Gojong of Korea]] relied on Yi for loan, and under Gojong's support, Yi led the conference about loans with leading powers.{{Sfn|Yi|2021|p=156}} In 1899, Yi asked to [[Hayashi Gonsuke (diplomat)|Hayashi Gonsuke]] for 1 million won loan. However the contract with the Japanese government was expired. Yi asked American Leigh S. J. Hunt for 5 million Yen loan for mines in Korea. Hunt provided 2 million Yen loan for five mines that were run by Yi, and 3 million Yen loan for twenty mines under [[Gungnaebu]]. In January 1900, Yi started conferences about loan with the Russian minister in Korea. However, Russia did not provide any loan considering Korea's unstable status. When he realized getting loan from Russia was impossible, he met French minister in Korea, [[Victor Collin de Plancy]] for loan. The Russian foreign minister [[Vladimir Lamsdorf]] agreed with the French loan, claiming that it would restrain the British, and Japanese influence in Korea. In May 1901, Yi received 3 million Won loan from the [[Mitsui & Co.]] for [[Ginseng]] as guarantee.{{Sfn|Yi|2021|p=157-160}} In 1902, Yi was appointed as the Minister of Economy, and started economic reform.<ref name=":0" /> These reforms included minting nickel coins which worthed 5 Jeon. Initiating these reforms, Yi was able to bring great revenue to the government; however, this also led to a serious inflation. Another method that Yi used was giving out rights of mining and logging.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Park |first=Chan-young |title=조선왕조실록을 보다 3 |publisher=리베르 스쿨 |pages=376–377}}</ref> At the dawn of the [[Russo-Japanese War]], Yi persuaded King [[Gojong of Korea|Gojong]] to aver the neutrality of Korea.<ref name=":0" />
Before the Russo-Japanese War, Yi was appointed as many major military positions, such as the Minister of Military and Departmental Leader of [[Board of Marshals]]. He was importing weapons to prepare for the imminent war. Japanese recognized Yi as an impediment to their plot; they snatched Yi on 22 February 1904, which was two weeks after the start of the war. Right after Yi was snatched, [[Japan–Korea Treaty of 1904]] was signed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=우리역사넷 |title=이용익[李容翊] 보부상 출신에서 대한제국의 실세로 |url=http://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/kc/view.do?levelId=kc_n403900&code=kc_age_40}}</ref> The Japanese government also tried to kidnap other anti-Japanese politicians such as Gil Young-su, [[Yi Hak-gyun]], and Hyeon Sang-geon, but failed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=국사관논총 |title=III. 전쟁의 전개와 강화 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/level.do?sort=levelId&dir=ASC&start=1&limit=20&page=1&pre_page=1&setId=10&totalCount=10&prevPage=0&prevLimit=&itemId=kn&types=&synonym=off&chinessChar=on&brokerPagingInfo=&levelId=kn_107_0050_0030&position=8}}</ref> Even being banished, Yi learned about new technology and experienced them. He bought a printer, which later helped the establishments of many schools.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=이용익|url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=43671&docId=884191&categoryId=43671|access-date=2022-01-29|website=terms.naver.com|language=ko}}</ref> Upon his arrival, Yi started the educational enlightenment movement;<ref name=":3" /> he established the Bosung College (which would later become [[Korea University]]) by being supported from the government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=우리역사넷|url=http://contents.history.go.kr/front/tg/view.do?treeId=0100&levelId=tg_004_2260&whereStr=@where+%7B+IDX_TITLE(HASALL%7C%27%EC%9D%B4%EC%9A%A9%EC%9D%B5%27%7C100000%7C0)+or+IDX_CONTENT(HASALL%7C%27%EC%9D%B4%EC%9A%A9%EC%9D%B5%27%7C100%7C0)+or+IDX_ALL(HASALL%7C%27%EC%9D%B4%EC%9A%A9%EC%9D%B5%27%7C1%7C0)+%7D|access-date=2022-01-29|website=contents.history.go.kr}}</ref> In May 1905, Yi was appointed as the minister of Military.<ref>{{Cite web|title=조선왕조실록|url=http://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kza_14205020_001|access-date=2022-01-29|website=[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty]]}}</ref> Through this appointment, Yi attempted to return to the politics. But, growing Japanese power in Korea was a threat to him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-07-20 |title=이용익의 '사라진 백만원 예금' |url=https://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/105585/4 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=신동아 |language=ko}}</ref> After [[Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905]] was signed, Yi was sent to France by orders of Gojong. However, he was found in China by Japanese.<ref name=":2" /> [[Han Kyu-seol]] indicted him of being not present when he was the Minister of Military. He lost his position of the minister,<ref>{{Cite web|title=조선왕조실록|url=http://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kza_14209014_001|access-date=2022-01-29|website=[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty]]}}</ref> and his Order of Taegeuk was confiscated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=조선왕조실록|url=http://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kza_14210012_001|access-date=2022-01-29|website=[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty]]}}</ref> Yi exiled to Shanghai in May 1905, and traveled to Russia and met Russian foreign minister [[Vladimir Lamsdorf]] for protection of Korean autonomy with Korean minister in Russia [[Yi Bum-jin]] in return of giving some rights to Russia. However, Russia already agreed with the Japanese colonization of Korea and was in the midst of turmoil because of the [[Russian Revolution of 1905]]; therefore, Yi was not able to make a remarkable success. Soon, Yi returned to Shanghai and emigrated to Vladivostok, where he suddenly died in February 1907.<ref>{{Cite web |last=신편한국사 |title=1) 밀사파견 외교의 전개 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/level.do?sort=levelId&dir=ASC&start=1&limit=20&page=1&pre_page=1&setId=24&totalCount=24&prevPage=0&prevLimit=&itemId=nh&types=&synonym=off&chinessChar=on&brokerPagingInfo=&levelId=nh_042_0060_0010_0010&position=16}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Yi's final words to Gojong was an advice about concentration to education, and recovering the national sovereignty.<ref name=":2" /> Gojong pardoned every punshiments done to Yi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=한국고전종합DB |url=https://db.itkc.or.kr/dir/item?itemId=ST#dir/node?grpId=&itemId=ST&gubun=book&depth=5&cate1=&cate2=&dataGubun=%EC%B5%9C%EC%A2%85%EC%A0%95%EB%B3%B4&dataId=ITKC_ST_Z0_A44_03A_12A_00100 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=db.itkc.or.kr}}</ref> Gojong gave Yi posthumous name of Ch'ungsuk ({{Korean|hangul=충숙|hanja=忠肅|labels=no}}).<ref>{{Cite web|title=조선왕조실록|url=http://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kza_14404028_002|access-date=2022-01-29|website=[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty]]}}</ref>
== Trivia ==
Yi was a very fast walker. He was able to walk about 200&nbsp;km within 12 hours.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[유창영의 역사산책] 조선시대 마라토너 :: 대전일보 모바일|url=http://m.daejonilbo.com/mnews.asp?pk_no=1255000|access-date=2022-01-29|website=대전일보|language=ko}}</ref>
Yi had about 1,000,000 Won of deposit in his bank account but, what he gave to his son, Yi Jong-ho, was only 330,000 Won. Japanese interrupted his son to get 1,000,000 Won from his account. As a result, his son sued the Japanese bank. But, Yi died in 1932. This money is not returned to Yi's descendants until now.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-05-22|script-title=ko:이용익의 예금 33만원은 어디로 사라진 것일까?|url=https://www.tvreport.co.kr/118974|access-date=2022-01-29|website=TV리포트}}</ref>
== Further reading ==
{{Cite journal |last=Yi |first=Hyang-jun |date=2021 |script-title=ko:대한제국시기 내장원경 李容翊의 활동과 경제에 대한 인식 |url=https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/ci/sereArticleSearch/ciSereArtiView.kci?sereArticleSearchBean.artiId=ART002688497 |journal=역사문화연구 |via=KCI}}
== Resources ==
{{Reflist}}{{Empire of Korea}}{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yi, Yong-ik}}
[[Category:1854 births]]
[[Category:1907 deaths]]
[[Category:Lieutenant generals of Korean Empire]]
[[Category:19th-century Korean people]]
[[Category:20th-century Korean politicians]]
[[Category:Government officials of the Korean Empire]]
[[Category:Imperial Korean military personnel]]
[[Category:Political office-holders of the Korean Empire]]
[[Category:Korea University]]
[[Category:University and college founders]]