Yi Yun-yong (general)

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Yi Yun-yong (1855–1938) was a Korean Empire official and lieutenant general who played a controversial role in the country’s late-19th and early-20th century politics. Born in Pyongyang, he began his career in public service in 1868 and held several key positions, including minister of economy and chief of police in 1894. He later served as Minister of Military under King Gojong, but his career was marked by shifting alliances and political struggles.

Yi is seen as a collaborator with Imperial Japan (Chinilpa). He helped suppress Yi Jun-yong’s coup, which earned him the dislike of Heungseon Daewongun. After the assassination of Empress Myeongseong, he was viewed as anti-Japanese and lost influence along with allies like Ye Wanyong, Yi Bum-jin, and Min Sang-ho. He participated in the Chunsaeng Gate incident, which led to exile at the American legation with pro-American politicians. He later moved toward pro-Russian positions, helping to move King Gojong to the Russian legation.

He supported the Independence Club and helped fund the Independence Gate. In 1896 he invited Russian instructors to train Koreans, though Min Young-hwan soon replaced him as Minister of Military. Yi was also a businessman and founded a shipping company connecting Korean ports; four of its five ships were used by Japan during the Russo-Japanese War. By the late 1900s he became a committed pro-Japanese collaborator, negotiating with the righteous army in 1909 and joining several pro-Japanese organizations. After Korea’s annexation, Japan granted him the title of baron. He remained active in pro-Japanese circles, including Buddhist groups, and in 1928 he joined a Japanese colonial government body, receiving an annual stipend. He died in 1938, and his grandson inherited the baron title.