Mihn Yong-hwan

Infobox Korean name


caption=
hangul=민영환
hanja=閔泳煥
rr=Mihn Yong-hwan
mr=Mihn Yöng-hwan
hangulja=문약
hanjaja=文若
rrja=Munyak
mrja=Munyak
hangulph=충정
hanjaph=忠正
rrph=Chung-jung
mrph=Ch'ung-jöng

Mihn Yong-hwan (1861 – 1905), is a minister of Korean Empire. Mihn was born in Seoul. He suicided himself as resistance against Ulsa treaty. He was a nephew of Empress Myeongseong

Biography

Mhin's father, Mihn Kyeom-ho(민겸호 閔謙鎬) was a minister of "Hojo"(Ministry of Finance). Mhin passed a Gwageo examination in 1878. But, on June, an army revolt happened and his father was killed. He resigned for a while. In 1884, Mihn was appointed as a official of "Ijo"(Ministry of Interior) and successively held various government posts such as "Hanseong Uyun"(Vice-mayor of Seoul). In 1895, Mihn was appointed as an ambassador stationed in America. However, he didn't go to America because his aunt, Empress Myeongseong was killed. In April 1896, Mihn was appointed as a special ambassador and sent to Russia to attend a coronation of the Nicholas II. Mihn came back on late October. In January 1897, Mihn was sent to europe as an ambassador again and attended celebration of 60th anniversary of coronation of Victoria. These journeys stimulated Mihn to westernize Korea. So, Mihn supported Independence Club.
In November 1905, Japan concluded Eulsa treaty by force, Mihn and many subjects asked Gojong to annul the treaty and execute chinilpas. But, dissolved by Japanese force. He found that the fortunes of the empire had already fallen and decided to suicide as resistance against japan and. He disembowelled himself leaving his written will.

After his death

Some people including Jo Byeong-se, Hong Man-sik, Yi Sang-cheol who were government officials, and even his rickshaw puller suicided following Mihn's death. Some people joined righteous armies stimulated by Mihn's death. Mihn was conferred the highest rank posthumously. Mihn was posthumously awarded the Republic of Korea Medal of merit for national foundation in 1962.

Blood Bamboo

One year after Mihn's death, a bamboo appeared where his bloody clothes laid. Many people thought that the bamboo grew holding Mihn's blood so that the bamboo has been called "Hyeoljuk"(血竹) or Blood Bamboo. Amazingly, the number of its leaves was 45, the same number of Mihn's age when he died.Many people crowded to see this bamboo. Some pictured it. Japanese government thought it was a natural or fabricated. The government sent some people to Mihn's house to find some clue. Mysteriously, The bamboo had no root and was proven not to be fabricated. Blood bamboo has been preserved until now. [ko icon [http://www.kbs.co.kr/2tv/enter/sponge/ KBS Sponge] ]
Bamboo is a symbol of loyalty in korea.

Written Will of Mihn Yong-hwan

:Ah, because dishonor of our nation and people just reached here, our people must be going to die during struggles for existence. Usually, a person who want to live will die and a person who pledges to die will gain a life, Why can't you surmise? I just repay my lord for his favor and apologize to our twenty million brethren through my death.:I die but not die and promise to help you in the underworld. If my brethren exert themselves more, strengthen their will and spirit to endeavor to learn, and unite minds and powers so that Korea take back our sovereign independence, I shall smile happily in the dark and dark swamp of death.

References