Kim Ung-u

Kim Ung-u (June 17, 1848 – October 4, 1878) was a Mangyongdae farmer who was the father of Kim Bo-hyon, grandfather of Kim Hyong-jik, great-grandfather of Kim Il Sung, and ancestor of the Kim family. In North Korea, he is a national hero.

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) and Lady Lee (레이디 리, 李夫人; 1811–1897). He had three brothers: Kim Iguk (김의국; 1854–1947), Kim Jongsu (김종수; 1855–1943), and Kim Insok (김인석; 1863–1952). The first name of his wife is unknown, but it is certain that he married a lady from the Ri (리, 李) family. Only one son was born from their marriage, who was named Kim Bo-hyon.

Participation in the General Sherman incident
Contemporary writings and North Korean sources contradict each other regarding Kim Ung-u's role in the General Sherman incident, when an armed American merchant ship sailed up the Taedong River with the intention of forcing the isolationist Joseon (modern day Korea) to open up to trade with the United States.

North Korean version of events
According to North Korea, the incident occurred as follows:

The General Sherman arrived in Joseon in August 1866 (according to the lunar calendar it was still July). The crew of the ship, which had originally arrived for trading purposes, decided to take an unexpected step and sailed on towards the interior of Pyongyang. To prevent this, Kim and his companions stretched ropes across the Taedong River. When Kim Ung-u found out that the Americans were firing cannons at the Korean residents, looting, and even inquiring about the whereabouts of the royal tombs, he recruited an army of volunteers who loaded firewood into wooden boats and took them to the American ship and set it on fire. The American ship caught fire and sank. The Americans later sent another ship, the Shenandoah, as revenge, but the Koreans, again led by Kim Ung-u, sank it.

Contemporary version
The Joseon described the incident as follows:

The American ship wanted to trade with the Joseon people, who refused because it was forbidden by law to trade with people from foreign countries. The Americans sailed on without permission from the Koreans, and in response, the Koreans attacked and sank the ship during days of fighting.

Death and legacy
Kim Ung-u died young, at the age of 30, of unknown causes. In North Korea, led by his successors, he is remembered to this day as the leader of the attack on the General Sherman and a national hero.