Kim Ŭngu
Ancestor of Kim Il Sung (1848–1878)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kim Ŭngu (Korean: 김응우; June 17, 1848 – October 4, 1878) was a Mangyongdae farmer who was the great-grandfather of Kim Il Sung and ancestor of the Kim family.[2][3] In North Korea, he is a national hero.
Kim Ŭngu | |
|---|---|
김응우 | |
North Korean Propaganda image of Kim Ungu during the General Sherman Incident | |
| Born | June 17, 1848 |
| Died | October 4, 1878 (aged 30) |
| Spouse | Lady Yi Poik (North Korea) |
| Children | Kim Pohyŏn |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Kim Minsu (grandfather)[1] |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 김응우 |
| Hanja | 金膺禹 |
| RR | Gim Eungu |
| MR | Kim Ŭngu |
Life
He was born on June 17, 1848, in the Mangyongdae settlement of Joseon (now part of Pyongyang) as the eldest child of Kim Song-ryeong (김송령, 金成瑛; 1810–1899). He had three brothers: Kim Ŭiguk (김의국; 1854–1947), Kim Chongsu (김종수; 1855–1943), and Kim Insŏk (김인석; 1863–1952). The first name of his wife is unknown, but it is certain that he married a lady with the surname Ri. Only one son was born from their marriage, who was named Kim Pohyŏn.[citation needed]
According to official North Korean accounts, Kim led a group of volunteers to attack the SS General Sherman. The story states that they sank the ship by burning it with firewood. The story says that a second ship, the Shenandoah, was sent by the United States, but Kim destroyed this one as well.[4] There is no historical evidence that Kim was actually involved in the event.[5]
Kim Ŭngu is considered the patriarch of the Kim family, and he is remembered to this day as the leader of the attack on the General Sherman and a national hero in North Korea.[6]
