Hong Gye-hun (Korean: 홍계훈; 1842–1895) was a Joseon official of the late 19th century who served as lieutenant-colonel of the Jang Wi-Young, and the Military Training Division during the reign of King Gojong.
Hong Gye-hun's legacy as a military leader and his contributions to suppressing the Donghak Peasant Army are still remembered in Korean history, serving as a testament to the power of determination, skill, and strategic thinking in times of crisis that earned him the trust of King Gojong even when he died defending Queen Min during the Eulmi Incident.
[2] 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.
[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.
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.
He entered Jeonju Castle on April 7, he determined that his forces were insufficient to suppress the Donghak Peasant Army and requested reinforcements from the government.
After confirming the deployment of government forces, Hong Gye-hun left Jeonju Castle on April 18 and attempted to suppress the Donghak Peasant Army but suffered a defeat in Jangseong on the 23rd.
Upon receiving the report of the defeat in Jangseong, the government appointed Yi Won-hoe as the Yangho Sunbyeonsa (Commander for the Pacification of the Two Provinces) on April 27 and sent additional forces from Ganghwa and Cheongju.
After defeating the government forces in Jangseong, the Donghak Peasant Army continued to gain momentum and occupied Jeonju Castle on April 27, passing through Jeongeup, Taein, and Geumgu.
[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.
The rebels, suffering from lack of food [a] , and feeling threatened by the Qing and Japanese forces advancing on Joseon, Jeon Bongjun exchanged letters with Hong Gye-hun for a ceasefire.
500 Mounted Guard Infantry (Giyeongbyeong; 기영병; 箕營兵) from Pyongyang defended the Yeongchumun and Shinmumun gates, but they were outnumbered by about four times as many regular Japanese troops.
[17] Yamaguchi detoured to the east, and west sides of Gyeongbokgung Palace rendezvoused with the troops who entered through Shinmumun to secure Hamhwadang residence.
Hong Gye-hun's success in suppressing the Donghak Peasant Army brought him great acclaim and solidified his position as a prominent military commander.
However, in early the following year, Hong Gye-hun returned to the palace as the commander of the royal bodyguard, the Capital Guards and the Hullyeondae (Military Training Division), as Queen Min launched a political campaign to bring Russia in to restrain Japan.
[18][19] He was shot six times and stabbed with a sword, forcing the Palace Guards to retreat and allow the ronin to push further and kill the Queen at the Okhoru Pavilion.