Kim was born Kim Ch'angam, on August 29, 1876, in T'otkol village, Paegunbang, Haeju, Hwanghae Province, Joseon. He was the only child of two farmers: mother Kwak Nak-won and father Kim Sunyŏng.
Kim's famil… See more

In January 1893, Kim joined the Donghak movement after traveling to meet its leader, O Ŭng-sŏn [ko] in Podong. The movement was created in 1860 in reaction to the instability of Joseon in the 19th century and the spread … See more

In November 1905, the short-lived Korean Empire became a protectorate of Japan, after it was compelled to sign the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905 (also known as the "Eulsa Treaty"). The treaty was the result of Japanese v… See more