In 1880, Kim undertook an official mission to Japan where he learned first-hand of the modernizing reforms taking place in that country and inspiring in him a desire to effect such changes in Korea.

During this period, he abolished the caste system of the Joseon Dynasty and carried out an ordinance prohibiting topknots.

After the assassination of Empress Myeongseong, "pro-Japan cabinet members like Kim and O Yun-jung were killed.

Hong-jip's party took a Japanese ship, 'Chitose', and arrived at Tokyo in July 1880 where they observed and studied Japan's modernization carefully, their ideology becoming pro-Japanese.

With Queen Min and Gojong's confidence, he resumed his seat as a Minister of 'Tongrigimuamun', which was a recently formed department that handled military secrets and general politics.

He asserted that Joseon should join Japan, the Qing dynasty, and America in order to contribute to global development.

For the purpose of liberation, he persuaded and negotiated with Li Hongzhang, who was a head of that incident[clarification needed].

In 1884, when the Gapsin Coup occurred, Kim was appointed "Jwauijeong" and became an ambassador plenipotentiary, but he resigned because of the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1885.

He was re-appointed to Jwauijeong in 1887, but resigned shortly after because local Confucian scholars denounced him as a traitor.

[6] During the Donghak Peasant Revolution, Queen Min first asked for auxiliary troops to Qing dynasty, but Japan infiltrated Joseon using the Convention of Tientsin.

[7] July 23, 1894, Japanese troops attacked Gyeongbokgung Palace and took over the armory to help Hong-jip's forces.

Park Young-hyo, who was in exile, returned to form a cabinet with Kim and introduced the Exemplary Rules in Fourteen Articles (홍범 14조) which had the effect of modernising Joseon's government, territorial administration, tax, education and other affairs.

Kim tried to change the legislative systems and garments of Joseon, and adopt the government structure of Japan.

Just in time, Yu Kil-chun visited Hong-jip's house and stopped him from completing the act.

So please take it easy and deliberate on my opinion.″[citation needed] Then, Hong-jip replied to Kil-chun, "I know what you say.

"[9] Persistently, Yu Kil-chun convinced Hong-jip and brought him to the royal court.

They implemented "the ordinance prohibiting topknots" which was a radical policy, leading many rebellions in Joseon.