Hwang Yun-gil

Hwang Yun-gil (Korean: 황윤길; Hanja: 黃允吉; 1536–?), also known as Hwang Yun'gil, was a Korean diplomat and ambassador of the Joseon period. He was a member of the Western faction in the Joseon court.^[1] He represented Joseon interests in a tongsinsa (diplomatic mission or corresponding envoys) to Sengoku period in Japan when it was controlled by strongman Toyotomi Hideyoshi.^[2]

Hwang Yun-gil
Hangul	황윤길
Hanja	黃允吉
Revised Romanization	Hwang Yungil
McCune–Reischauer	Hwang Yun'gil

In this Korean name, the family name is Hwang.

1590 mission to Japan

Between 1590 and 1591, King Seonjo of Joseon sent a mission to Japan led by Hwang Yun-gil, accompanied by Kim Seong-il and Heo Seong.^[3] The chronology of this diplomatic embassy encompassed:

• September 1589 (22nd year of King Seonjo's rule: Gimi year): Dispatch of tongsinsa to Japan decided upon by the Joseon court.^[3]
• March 1590 (23rd year of King Seonjo's rule: Gyeongin year): The tongsinsa were sent to Japan.^[3]
• January 1591 (24th year of King Seonjo's rule: Sinmyo year): Hwang Yun-gil and others returned the port Busan.^[3]

A diplomatic mission conventionally consisted of three primary figures—the main envoy, the vice-envoy, and a document official. Also included were one or more official writers or recorders who created a detailed account of the mission.^[4] In 1607, Hwang Yun-gil was the main envoy; and he was accompanied by Kim Sŏng-il, who was the vice-ambassador, and Hŏ Son, who was the document official.^[5]

See also

• Joseon diplomacy
• Joseon missions to Japan
• Joseon tongsinsa
• Tsūkō ichiran, mid-19th century text
• Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598)