Hong Gye-hun

In 1882 (the 19th year of King Gojong's reign), when the Imo Incident broke out, he played a crucial role in rescuing Queen Min (later known as Empress Myeongseong) from the palace, and he was recognized for his contribution. After the rebellion was suppressed with the intervention of the Qing Army and Min returned, Hong Jae-hee was promptly rewarded. It was due to his service in protecting Min. In August 1882, he was appointed as the magistrate of Pocheon, a local government position, transitioning from being a musa in the royal guard to a local official.[2]

In December 1884, he was appointed as the magistrate of Taean. In August 1885, he was promoted to the rank of Jeong 3-pum and became the military governor of Chungcheong Province. In September 1886, he was further promoted to the rank of Jong 2-pum and became the military governor of Chungcheong Province. In April 1888, King Gojong personally granted him a "tiger skin" as a sign of favor. In March 1899, he was appointed as the magistrate of Jangdan, steadily growing Hong Jae-hee through various external positions.[2]

In November 1899, he received an evaluation from the Ijo (吏曹) that stated, "Hong Jae-hee has been performing his duties diligently, respecting public affairs and maintaining the law. In just four months since his appointment, everything has been going smoothly." Hong Jae-hee, leveraging the prestige of King Gojong and Jungjeon Min, seized opportunities and walked the path of a "guardian" who demonstrated his abilities.[2] While advancing through various external positions, Hong Jae-hee was appointed to Lieutenant-Colonel of Jang Wi-yeong (壯衛營), a unit of the Capital Guards Command in 1890, and returned to the palace.[2]

In May 1892, when followers of the Donghak religion gathered in Boeun, Chungcheong Province, and launched the movement against foreign influence, he led the 600 of the Jang Wi-Young to march to Cheongju.[1] Meanwhile, in January 1893, Hong Jae-hee changed his name to Hong Gye-hoon.[2]

Meanwhile, on 29 April, the administrator of Jeonju, Kim Mun-hyeon, had appeared in Gongju and told the government of the fall of Jeonju. Unable to control the rebellion, the government of Joseon formally requested the military assistance from both Japan and China. On 3 May, 1,500 Qing Dynasty forces appeared in Incheon. The same day, 6,000 Japanese forces also landed in Incheon. The Japanese inquired why Qing had not notified the Japanese government in accordance to the Convention of Tientsin, and soon caused the First Sino-Japanese War.[7][8]

In the midst of this, the Qing military, which accepted Korea's request for reinforcements, landed in Asan Bay on May 5 and 7 to suppress the Donghak Peasant Army. As the Qing army took action, Japan also landed its troops at Jemulpo on May 6 based on the Treaty of Tianjin.[9] On 7 May, Kim Hak-jin, the new administrator of Jeonju, ordered Hong to make peace with the rebels. The rebels, suffering from lack of food [lower-alpha 1] , and feeling threatened by the Qing and Japanese forces advancing on Joseon, Jeon Bongjun exchanged letters with Hong Gye-hun for a ceasefire.[1]

The Donghak Army presented conditions related to 14 items. First, Hong Gye-hun proposed several measures, including the abolition of the Transfer Office (전운소), cessation of land distribution and the payment of grain as taxes, prohibition of grain trade, and the Spring and Autumn Tribute System being reduced to two sheep per household. Each town would forcibly confiscate private farmland and distribute it among the peasants. They would burn documents related to ancestral rituals and allow widows to remarry. With these conditions, Hong Gye-hun directly appealed to the sage and issued a certificate to the government, ensuring the safety of the Donghak Army.[10]

This came to be called the Treaty of Jeonju (全州和約)[11] or Jeonju Truce. Hong accepted twelve of the fourteen rebel requests.[12][13][14] The peasant army withdrew without any bloodshed. The Donghak Peasant Army gained control over the Jeolla Province and the surrounding regions.[1] Through the Jeonju Agreement, the Donghak Peasant Army and the government agreed to establish a governing body called "Jipgangso" to oversee reform affairs in the Jeolla Province and agreed to dissolve the Donghak Peasant Army in exchange for implementing the reform plan proposed by the peasants. Immediately after the Jeonju Agreement, the Donghak Peasant Army withdrew from Jeonju Castle and established Jipgangso to begin promoting reform.[9]

On July 23rd, 1894 at 4:30 am, the Imperial Japanese Army 9th Infantry Brigade assaulted Gyeongbokgung Palace as a result for requesting the Qing reinforcements. Hong Gye-hun led the Royal Escort Palace Guards (Jang Wi-Yeong, (장위영), (壯衛營)) to defend the Geonchunmun, the Eastern Gate, and the Gwanghwamun, the Main Gate against them. 500 Mounted Guard Infantry (Giyeongbyeong, (기영병), (箕營兵)) from Pyeongyang defended the Yeongchumun and Shinmumun gates, but they were outnumbered by about four times as many regular Japanese troops.[15][16][17]

At 5 am, they finally broke through and entered the palace gates and hung a long flag pole on the wall. The Japanese forced the Royal Escort Palace Guards and Mounted Guard Infantry to hide behind the pine trees and the palace walls to the left of Gwanghwamun, cutting them off from reinforcements. The guards were eventually overcome by superior Japanese numbers. The blood that flowed from the bullet holes in the bodies of the Joseon soldiers was said to lie red under the July morning sun.[18] Yamaguchi detoured to the east, and west sides of Gyeongbokgung Palace rendezvoused with the troops who entered through Shinmumun to secure Hamhwadang residence. On arrival, he drew his sword, forcing Gojong to come out whilst claiming to protect him. Gojong commanded his guards to stop fighting. The Mounted Guards Infantry defending Yeongchumun surrendered 30 minutes later while the rest of the Capital Guards Command outside the palace complied in the late afternoon.

Hong Gye-hun launched a fierce offensive against the Donghak Peasant Army. With his well-trained troops and superior military tactics, he managed to regain control of Jeolla Province and push back the rebellion. The peasant army suffered heavy losses, and their momentum was broken. Hong Gye-hun's success in suppressing the Donghak Peasant Army brought him great acclaim and solidified his position as a prominent military commander. He became known for his bravery, leadership, and strategic acumen. His achievements earned him the respect and trust of King Gojong and the royal court.[2] He was promoted to the position of Training Division Commander for his role in breaking the spirit of the Donghak Peasant Army.[1]