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**puduhepa1307** · (Son Düzenleme: 10-04-2013, Saat: 21:21, Düzenleyen: simay_m.)

Sarim Faction

Sarim Partisi Tarihi

Baslangiç

Felsefi soya dayanan Sarim bilim kökenli Gil Jae (1353-1419) ve Kwon Geun (1352-1409)'un okudugu bir neo-Konfüçyüs okuludur, Goryeo bilginleri olan Kim Yi Saek ve Jeong Mong-ju, Jeong Do-jeon tarafindan incelenmektedir. Goryeo hanedaninin düsüsünden sonra geri çekildi ve Kral Taejong'un istegine ragmen yeni Joseon Hanedanligi'na hizmet etmek için evini köyünü reddetti. Gil Jae, Kim Suk-ja ve oglu Kim Jong-Jik dâhil olmak üzere Neo-Konfüçyüsçü bilim adamlarinin yeni nesil yetistirmesi üzerinde yogunlasti.
Kral Seongjong Joseon'un dokuzuncu krali oldugunda, Sarim alimleri denen Kim Jong-Jik ve havarilerini siyasi büyümelerini desteklemek için saraya davet etti. Onlar öncelikle degismez "hungu" yetkililerine itiraz eden ve yegenini tahttan indiren kral Sejo'yu desteklemek için büyük bir güç toplayan Üç Ofise hizmet verdi.

Hungu Partisi Ile Mücadele

Ana Madde: Koreli Edebiyatçilarin Tasfiyesi

Köklü Hungu Partisi, Sarim Partisi ile bir serin bir kanli çatisma yasadi Yeonsangun, Jungjong ve Myeongjon'un arasinda olmak üzere. Idealist Kim Gueng-pil takipçisi Jo Gwang-jo ile Jungjong'un saltanati sirasinda Joseon'u Neo-Konfüçyüsçü toplum haline dönüstürmek için radikal reformlar yapti, onlar kisa bir dönem bundan zevk aldilar. Bununla birlikte Sarim Partisinin kökeni mesruiyet reddine dayaniyordu, bundan dolayi Joseon Hanedanligi, Hungu saldirilarina karsi savunmasiz oldu, çünkü Kral Sejo basta kral ve bakanlar olmak üzere onlari sorguladi. Sonra Jo Gwang-jo ve diger birçok idam edilenleri gören dört büyük tasfiye Sarim alimleri ile tekrardan seowon adindaki lokal okullarda kendi felsefelerini yaymaya devam ettikleri kirsal köylere geri çekildi. Ideolojik halefi olmadan Hungu Partisi yillar içinde azalirken Sarim Partisi "martydom" araciligiyla kendi kimligini muhafaza etti ve daha önceki nesil ile hükümdar Seonjo döneminde mahkeme politikalarina hakim olmuslardir. Bu sirada, filozoflar Yi Hwang ve Yi I Sarim felsefe ögretisi etrafinda bütünlesmisti, o zamandan beri Sarim Partisi Joseon Hanedanligi'nda siyasi gücünü sürdürdü.

Grup Mücadelesi

Daha sonra Sarim Partisi yerine Hungu Partisi 16. yüzyil sonlarinda baskin siyasi güç olarak ülke çapinda bölünmüs Dogu Partisi (Dong-in) ve Bati Partisi (Seo-in) arasinda meydana geldi. Siyasi bölünmeler daha da yogunlasti Dogu Partisi olarak sabit-hat Kuzey Partisi (Buk-in) arasinda sirayla bölündü, ilimli Güney Partisi (Nam-in) ve Bati Partileri olan Eski Doktrini (Noron) ile Genç Doktrini (Soron) arasinda bölündü. Bu grup bölünmelerinde farkli felsefi okullar ve bölgesel farkliliklar ortaya çikti. Örnegin, Dogu Partisi büyük ölçüde Yeongnam tabanli olmustur ve Kuzeyliler Jo Shik okulu etrafinda bütünlesmisken onun alt grubu Güneylilerden Yi Hwang'in esas takipçileri vardi. Gyeonggi ve Chungcheong tabanli Bati Partisinde ise büyük ölçüde Yi I takipçileri vardi, Seong Hon takipçileri Soron Partisini olustururken Song Siyeol takipçileri Noron Partisi oldu. Bu bölünmeler kraliyet hakkindaki sorular ardina veya gerekli kraliyet davranislari tarafindan siklikla ileri sürüldü. Liderin evinde toplanilmadan sonra gruplar siklikla isimlendirilmistir.

Dogulular ve Batililar

Ana Madde: 1589 Yilinin Ihanet Davasi

Sarim’in Batili ve Dogulu gruplari ilk ayirisinda kusak çatismasinin büyük bir rolü vardir. Kim Hyo-won (김효원) liderligindeki Dogulular çogunlukla Seonjo’nun saltanat döneminde devlet memurlari olan genç nesilden olusurken Batililar Myeongjong’un saltanat devri boyunca politikaya katilan Sarim bilginlerinden olusuyordu ve Dogulular kendilerini dayisi Yoon Won-hyeong’in yolsuzluklarindan bozulan Myeongjong döneminin ölçüsüzlüklerine bulasmamis görüyorlardi.

Batililar sarayin batisinda evi olan Myeongjong’un enistesi Shim Eui-gyeom (심의겸)’in öderligindeydi. Sarim bilginleri kraliyet kurallarina karsi olmalarina ragmen Shim Yi Hwang’in ögrencisiydi ve onun himayesi altindaydi. Ayrica birçok Dogulu Youngnam okulunun ortaklari Yi Hwang ve Jo Shik’in ögrencileriyken çogu Batida Giho okulunun ortaklari Yi I ve Seong Hon’in ögrencileriydi. Batililar geçim kaynagini gelistirmeye ve ülkeyi güçlendirecek olan reformlara agirlik verirken Dogulular da yönetici sinifinin manevi arinmasina ve yolsuzlugun biran evvel sonunun gelmesine agirlik vermislerdi. (Batililar Dogulularin asiri ahlakçi tavirlarini suçlarken Dogulular da Müstahdem Bakanliginda kilit noktasinda bulunan Kim Hyo-won ile kötü niyetli Shim Eui-gyeom’in mukavemetlerinden Batililari sorumlu tuttular.) Batili Jeong Cheol ve Dogulu Yi Bal arasinda baris antlasmasi düzenlemek ve dar görüslüleri saltanattan uzak tutmak için Shim Eui-gyeom ve Kim Hyo-won tarafindan görevlendirilen Yi I gruplar arasi ayriligi engellemeye çalisti. Yi I’in ölümünden sonra Dogulularin issiz kalmalarina neden olan ve üstünlügü elde eden Shim Eui-gyeom ve Jeong Cheol’u itham etmesiyle iki grup arasindaki anlasmazliklar daha da artti.

1589 yilinda Dogulu Jeong Yeo-rip askeri egitimi ele geçirmek ve çalismak için destekçileriyle bir grup olusturmasi nedeniyle ihanetle suçlandi. Her grup tarafindan ayri tutulan tarihsel hesaplarin çelismesi nedeniyle karisikliklar artti. 1589 tarihinde Joseon tarihinin en zalimi Gichuk’un ihanet davasi olarak bilinmesiyle durumun gerçekligi kanitlaniyor. Jeong Yeo-rip grubunun silahli destekçilerinin amaci ve niyeti hakkinda bunun bir karalama mi yoksa bir ihanet mi oldugu konusunda anlasmazliklar hala var. Jeong Yeo-rip’in grubu gizli bir örgüt degildi ve Japon isgalcilere karsi mücadelede yerel yönetime destek olmustu. Buna karsilik, Jeong’un cumhuriyetçiligi sona erdirecek devrimsel fikirlere sahip oldugu da görünür. Dünyanin paylasimli olan bir sey olduguna inandi ve bu nedenle tek bir yönetici olmamaliydi. Sosyal statüde olan birinin her ne olursa olsun katilamayacagi grubu “Büyük Toplumsal Cemiyet” (대동계) olarak adlandirildi ve Honam eyaletine kadar olan bütün bölgelere yayildi. Buna karsin Jeong Yeo-rip tutuklanmasinin hemen ardindan intihar etti ve evinde Dogulularin mektuplari bulundu. Jeong Cheol, ünlü sair ve Batililarin basi, davayi inceleme görevindeydi ve davayi Jeong Yeo-rip’le en ufak bir baglantisi olan Dogululari aklamak için kullandi. Dogulularin hesaplarina göre Jeong Cheol Dogulu grubun lideri Yi Bal’in 80 yasindaki annesine ve 8 yasindaki ogluna iskence etmis. Batililarin hesaplarina göre ise Jeong Cheol, Yi Bal ve Choe Yeong-gyeong’i kahramanca Seonjo’nun gazabindan korumaya çalismis. Sonuçta 1,000 Dogulu öldürüldü veya sürgün edildi. Seonjo’nun Sarim’in gücünü zayiflatmak için bu olayi kullandigina da inanilir.

Kuzeyliler ve Güneyliler

Bu olay Batililarin gücünü ortaya koydu ama veliahtin görevlendirilmesini kapsayan ayak oyunlari nedeniyle uzun sürmedi. Kuzeyliler çogunlukla Jo Shik ve Seo Gyeong-deok’un ögrencileriydiler ve Jeong Yeo-rip’in isyanindan oldukça muzdariptiler, Güneyliler ise çogunlukla Yi Hwang’in ögrencileriydi ve bu durumdan çok etkilenmediler.

Yu Seong-ryong’un önderligindeki Güneyliler 1592 Japon Istilasindan sonra iktidarin basindaydilar ve Japonya ile baris antlasmasi imzalamakta basarisiz olana kadar Kuzeyliler ve Batililarla iç içe olan siyaseti korudular. Artik Kuzeyliler iktidardaydi. Küçük Kuzey grubu baska bir prensi desteklerken Büyük Kuzey grubu Gwanghaegun’i destekliyordu. Gwanghaegun’in saltanati boyunca Büyük Kuzey Grubu daha öndeydi ve Güneyliler ve Batililar güçlerin birlestirene kadar diger gruplari ezdi. Batililarin güçlerini eline almasiyla Joseon politikasi daha kalici bir hale geldi. Ama Hyojong yönetimi altinda Batili grup daha güçlü bir hale geliyordu.

Sukjong Dönemi

Sukjong Dönemi'nin ilk yillarinda, Güney Partisi ve Bati Partisi, Kraliçe Insun'un matem süresi küçük bir sorun gibi görünse de, Kraliyet cenaze töreni üzerine tartismalarla bozustular. Bati Partisi matem süresinin 9 ay olmasi gerektigini söylerken, Güney Partisi, matem süresinin bir yil olmasi gerektigini iddia etti. Matem süresinin bir yil olmasi, Yangban sinifinin (soylular) yönetim kurallarina göre, Hyojong’un en büyük ogul olarak kabul edilmesi, 9 aylik süre ise en büyük ogul olarak kabul edilmemesi anlamina geliyordu. Diger bir deyisle, Bati Partisi farkli kurallar uygulayan ayri bir sinif degil, Yangban sinifinin ilk soylu ailelerinden biri olarak görülüyordu. Iki partide Joseon Ulusal Güvenligini tehdit eden Qing Hanedanligi ile mücadele içindeydi. Bati partisi önce devletin iç islerinin düzenlenmesine odaklanmak isterken, Huh Jeok ve Yoon Hyu’nun önderlik ettigi Güney Partisi, Qing’lere savas açma taraftariydi. Sukjong’un saltanati altinda partisel çatismalar daha asiri ve ölümcül oldu çünkü Sukjong, Kraliyet otoritesini güçlendirmek için sik sik partilerin güç dengelerini degistiriyordu. Hükümetin “Hwanguk (환국 / 換局)” adi verilen her degisimiyle, devlet tamamiyle degisiyor, kaybeden parti tamamen idam edilerek ya da sürgün edilerek politikadan men ediliyordu.

Batililar ve Güneyliler

Baslangiçta Sukjong Güney partisinin tarafindaydi, fakat 1680’de Huh Jeok, Güney Partisinin tavsiye edilmesine ve Huh Jeok ve Yoon Hyu’nun idamina öncülük eden Bati partisi tarafindan hainlikle suçlandi. Bu kazaya Kyungshin hwanguk (경신환국) adi verilir. Iktidarda olan Bati Partisi Song Siyeol’un önderliginde Noron Partisi (Eski Doktrin) ve Yoon Jeung’un önderliginde Soron Partisi (Yeni doktrin) olarak ikiye bölündü. 9 yil sonra iktidarda olan Noronlar, Sukjong, Bati Partisinin destekledigi Kraliçe Inhyeon’u görevden alinca çöküse geçtiler ve Jang Klanindan Hee adindaki karisi yeni kraliçe oldu. Es Jang’in oglunun veliaht prens yapilmasi karsisinda Bati Partisi Sukjong’a kizmisti. Es Jang’i ve oglunu destekleyen Güney partisi iktidari geri aldi ve intikam olarak Song Siyeol’u idam ederek Bati Partisini kovdu. Bu olay Gisa hwangguk (기사환국) olarak adlandirilir.
5 yil sonra 1694’e gelindiginde, Güney Partisi, Sukjong Kraliçe Inhyeon’u görevden almaktan pismanlik duymaya baslayinca ve Kraliçe Inhyeon ve Bati Partisi taraftari olan Choi klanindan Suk’u esi olarak kabul edince, Kraliçe Inhyeon’u geri getirmek için onlari komplo kurmakla suçlayan Bati partisini tasfiye etme planlari kuruyordu. Güney Partisinin Batililari tasfive girisiminin kizginligiyla, Sukjong birdenbire Güneylileri tavsiye etti ve Bati Partisini iktidara geri getirdi. Bundan sonra Güney partisi bir daha kendini toparlayamadi, bu olay da Gapsul hwanguk (갑술환국) adi verildi. Sukjong Kraliçe Jang’in rütbesini es Jang olarak düsürdü ve Kraliçe Inhyeon’u yeniden göreve getirdi. Es jang sonunda, ölümünden sonra Kraliçe Inhyeon’u lanetlemek suçundan zehirle idam edildi. Noron Partisi Es Choi’nin oglu Yeonying-gun (daha sonra Yeongjo olan)’u desteklerken, Soron Partisi Es Jang’in oglu olan Veliaht Prensi destekledi. Son kraliçe Inhyeon ve yeni kabul edilen Kraliçe Inwon’un çocugu olmadi.

Soron ve Noron

1718’de Sukjong, veliaht prensin Gyeongjong’da olmasina ve saltanat vekili olarak ülkeyi yönetmesine izin verdi. 1720’de, iddialara göre Kyungjong'un varisi olarak Yeoning-gun’un adini söyledikten sonra öldü ama o sirada yaninda bir tarihçi ya da katip yoktu. Bu 1721’de 4 Noron liderinin idamina neden olan bir diger tavsiyeyi ve takiben 1722’de 8 Noron üyesinin idamina neden olan diger bir tasviyeyi meydana getirecekti.
18 yüzyilda Yeongjove Jeongjo saltanati altinda, Krallar hiçbir partinin digerinin üzerinde tutulmadigi kati bir esitlik politikasi güttüler. Fakat, Jeongjo döneminde Noron partisinin daha önceki partilere karsi olarak Byeokpa ve Sipa olarak iki gruba bölünmesi ve Yeongjo’nun, Jeongjo’nun da babasi olan oglunu öldürmesi karsisindaki tutumlari arasindaki farkliliklar yeniden bir bozusma oldu.

Çöküs Dönemi

Bu partiler arasindaki bölünmeler ve anlasmazliklar genellikle küçük sorunlar ve felsefik yorumlarinin dogmatik ve sert tabiatlarinin yansimalari etrafinda dönüyordu. Gwang-jo zamaninda gelisen Sarim felsefesi, zamanla çok tutucu ve köktenci hale geldi. Bu partiler arasindaki hakimiyet savasi, güç dengelerinin her degisiminde ardinda kanli izler birakti ve korkunç bir intikam döngüsüyle sonuçlandi. Partileri bölen küçük sorunlar, memurlarin halki etkileyen gerçek sorunlara olan dikkatini dagitiyordu. Yine de, politik bozusmalarin bazi olumlu taraflari da vardi. Geç Jungjong ve Myeonjong dönemleri karsilastirildiginda, yozlasma sinirliydi çünkü asiti yozlasmayla baglantili herhangi bir parti, rakip parti tarafindan itham edilmede kolay bir hedef olacakti. Politik mücadelelerin en çarpicilarinin görüldügü Sukjong dönemi ve sonrasinda Seonjo ve Gwanghaegun zamani halk için daha basarili dönemlerden biriydi.
19. yüzyilda Joseon yasalari tahta hakim olan bilginlerin partilerindense üvey aileler olarak degistirildi. 19. Yüzyilin büyük bölümünde Andong Kim klaninin Jangdong kolu ülkeye asiri bir yozlasmayla liderlik eden bir hükümetin kontrolündeydi.

Çeviri: trenchtown & BeaSungMi Esma & puduhepa1307

**Kaynak**

**puduhepa1307** · (Son Düzenleme: 10-04-2013, Saat: 21:22, Düzenleyen: simay_m.)

History of Sarim faction

Early Beginning

The philosophical lineage of the Sarim scholars originated from the neo-Confucian school of Gil Jae (1353–1419)'s school and Kwon Geun (1352-1409)'s school, Goryeo scholar who studied under Yi Saek and Jeong Mong-ju, Jeong Do-jeon. After fall of Goryeo dynasty, he retreated to his home village refusing to serve new Joseon dynasty despite King Taejong's request. Gil Jae concentrated on cultivating new generation of neo-Confucian scholars including Kim Suk-ja and his son Kim Jong-jik.
When King Seongjong became the ninth king of Joseon, he invited Kim Jong-jik and his disciples, who came to be called Sarim scholars, to his court and supported their political growth. They primarily served in so-called Three Offices, from which challenged the entrenched "Hungu" officials, who accumulated great power and wealth by supporting King Sejo when he usurped the throne from his nephew.

Struggle with Hungu Faction

Main Article: Korean Literati Purges

In their conflict with the established Hungu faction, Sarim faction suffered a series of bloody purges during the reigns of Yeonsangun, Jungjong, and Myeongjong. They enjoyed a brief period of power during Jungjong's reign through Kim Gueng-pil's disciple Jo Gwang-jo, who pursued radical reforms to transform Joseon into idealistic neo-Confucian society.
However, the Sarim faction, whose origin stems from denial of legitimacy of Joseon dynasty, was vulnerable to Hungu's attacks because it questioned legitimacy of King Sejo's usurpation and primarily engaged in the censorate role against the king and ministers. After four major purges that saw Jo Gwang-jo and many others executed, the Sarim scholars again retreated to rural villages where they continued to spread their philosophy through local schools called seowon and maintained their power base through system of Hyang'yak.
While Hungu faction declined over the years without ideological successor to replace it, the Sarim faction maintained its identity through "martydom" of earlier generation and came to dominate the court politics during the reign Seonjo. By this time, Sarim philosophy coalesced around the teachings of the philosophers Yi Hwang and Yi I. Since then, the Sarim faction maintained political power for much of Joseon dynasty.

Factional Struggle

After Sarim faction replaced Hungu faction as the predominant political force in late 16th century, a nationwide split occurred between the Eastern faction (Dong-in) and Western faction (Seo-in). Political divisions intensified even further as the Eastern faction in turn split between the hard-line Northern faction (Buk-in) and the moderate Southern faction (Nam-in) and the Western factions split between the Old Doctrine(Noron) and the Young Doctrine(Soron).
These factional splits grew out of allegiance to different philosophical schools and regional differences. For instance, Easten faction was largely Yeongnam-based, and its subfaction Southerners were mainly followers of Yi Hwang while Northerners coalesced around the school of Jo Shik. Gyeonggi and Chungcheong-based Western faction were largely followers of Yi I, of which followers of Seong Hon split to form Soron faction while Song Siyeol's followers became Noron faction. These divisions were often further driven by questions concerning royal succession or appropriate royal conduct. The factions were often named after relative location of its leader's house.

Easterners vs Westerners

Main Article: Treason Case of 1589

In the initial split of Sarim into the Western and Eastern factions, there was a large element of generational conflict. The Westerners were largely older Sarim scholars who entered politics during Myeongjong's reign while the Easterners, led by Kim Hyo-won (김효원) were mainly younger generation who became officials in Seonjo's reign and saw themselves uncorrupted by excesses of Myeongjong's era, which was marred by his maternal uncle Yoon Won-hyeong's corruption.
The Westerners were led by Shim Eui-gyeom (심의겸), Myeongjong's brother-in-law whose house was on the west of the palace. Although Sarim scholars were usually hostile to royal in-laws as corrupting influence, Shim was Yi Hwang's disciple and protected Sarim scholars by impeaching his uncle who was planning another literati purge. In addition, many Westerners were disciples of Yi I and Seong Hon and followers of Giho school while many Easteners were disciples of Yi Hwang and Jo Shik and followers of Youngnam School. Easterners emphasized moral purification of the ruling class and rooting out corruption of earlier period while Westerners emphasized reforms that would strengthen the country and improve livelihood. (Easterners blamed Shim Eui-gyeom's ill-willed opposition to Kim Hyo-won's appointment at a key position in Ministry of Personnel for split while Westerners blamed Easterner's self-righteous attack.) Yi I attempted to prevent the factional split by appointing Shim Eui-gyeom and Kim Hyo-won to provincial posts far away from the court and arranging truce between Easterner Yi Bal and Westerner Jeong Cheol. After Yi I's death, however, the conflict between two factions became more intense as the Easterners impeached Shim Eui-gyeom and Jeong Cheol, leading to their dismissal, and gained upper hand.
In 1589, Easterner Jeong Yeo-rip was accused of treason because he formed a society with his supporters that met each month to study and receive military training. History of the Sarim after its split is very complicated because there is a wealth of conflicting historical accounts written by each faction. This is especially true with what became known as Gichuk Treason Case of 1589 (기축옥사), the bloodiest purge in Joseon history by far. There is still a dispute about the nature and purpose of Jeong Yeo-rip's group of armed supporters and whether it was treason or frame up. His group was not a secret society as it helped the local government to help fight against the Japanese marauders. On the other hand, it appears that Jeong truly had revolutionary ideas that was close to republicanism. He believed that the world was something to be shared and therefore there could not be one master. His group, called "Great Common Society"(대동계), could be joined by anyone regardless of one's social status, and it spread throughout Honam province and to other regions as well. In any case, Jeong Yeo-rip committed suicide after his arrest was ordered, which was considered the admission of guilt, and letters of Easterners were discovered from his house. Jeong Cheol, famous poet and head of the Western faction, was in charge of investigating the case and used the case to effect widespread purge of Easterners who had slightest connection with Jeong Yeo-rip. According to Easterners' accounts, Jeong Cheol tortured even 80-year-old mother and 8-year-old son of Yi Bal, leader of Eastern faction. According to Westerner's accounts, Jeong Cheol tried heroically to save Yi Bal and Choe Yeong-gyeong from Seonjo's wrath. In any event, 1,000 Easterners were killed or exiled in the aftermath. It is also believed that Seonjo used this incident to weaken the Sarim's power.

Northerners vs. Southerners

This incident put the Westerners in power, but did not last long because of intrigue involving the appointment of the crown prince, which put the Easterners back in power for thirty years. The Eastern faction soon split into hardline Northern faction (Buk-in), which wanted to put Jeong Cheol and other Westerners to death, and moderate Southern faction (Nam-in), which did not want a wholesale purge. The Northerners were largely disciples of Jo Shik and Seo Gyeong-deok and suffered more from Jeong Yeo-rip's "rebellion" while the Southerners were largely Yi Hwang's disciples and less affected.
The Southerners, led by Yu Seong-ryong, were initially in power after Japanese Invasion in 1592, and maintained the policy of coexistence with Northerners and Westerners until its effort to reach peace agreement with Japan failed. The Northerners, now in power, split again over the proper successor to Seonjo, who had no legitimate son. Greater Northern faction supported Gwanghaegun while Lesser Northern faction supported another prince. During Gwanghaegun's reign, Greater Northern faction split further and persecuted other factions until Southerners and Westerners joined their forces in a coup d'état that deposed Gwanghaegun and placed Injo on the throne. With the Westerners back in power, Joseon politics entered more stable stage in which they competed with Southerners in relatively peaceful coexistence for about 100 years. But under Hyojong's reign, the Western faction was becoming more powerful.

Sukjong's Reign

In the early years of Sukjong's reign, the Southern faction and Western faction clashed over Royal Funeral Dispute, a seemingly minor issue regarding mourning period for Queen Insun. The Southern faction claimed that mourning period should last one year while Western faction argued for a nine-month mourning period. A one-year mourning period meant that Hyojong was considered the eldest son while 9-month period would suggest that Hyojong was considered not the eldest son, following the rules that governed the yangban class. In other words, Western faction viewed the royal family as the first of yangban class rather than a separate class for which different rules applied. The two factions were also in conflict over issue of fighting Qing Dynasty, which was considered barbarian country (as opposed to Ming Dynasty) that threatened Joseon's national security. Southern faction, led by Huh Jeok and Yoon Hyu, supported war against Qing while Western faction wanted to focus first on improving domestic conditions. Under Sukjong's reign the factional fight became more intense and deadly since Sukjong frequently replaced faction in power with another one to strengthen the royal authority. With each change of government, which was called hwanguk (환국 換局), literally turn of the state, the losing faction was completely driven out of politics with executions and exiles.

Westerners vs. Southerner

Sukjong at first sided with the Souther faction, but in 1680, Huh Jeok was accused of treason by Western faction, which led to execution of Huh Jeok and Yoon Hyu and purge of Southern faction. This incident is called Kyungshin hwanguk (경신환국). Now in power, Western faction split into Noron (Old Doctrine) faction, led by Song Siyeol, and Soron (New Doctrine) faction, led by Yoon Jeung. After nine years in power, Noron collapsed when Sukjong deposed Queen Inhyeon, who was supported by Western faction, and named Consort Hee of Jang clan (or Consort Jang) as the new queen. Western faction angered Sukjong when it opposed the naming of Consort Jang's son as crown prince. Southern faction, who supported Consort Jang and her son, regained power and drove out Western faction, executing Song Siyeol in revenge. This is called Gisa hwangguk (기사환국).
Five years later in 1694, Southern faction was planning another purge of Western faction, accusing them of conspiracy to reinstate deposed Queen Inhyeon, when Sukjong began to regret deposing Queen Inhyeon and favor Consort Suk of Choi clan (Consort Choi), an ally of Queen Inhyeon and Noron faction. Angry with Sothern faction's attempt to purge Westerners, Sukjong abruptly turned around to purge Southerners and brought the Western faction back in power. The Southern faction would never recover from this blow, also called Gapsul hwanguk (갑술환국). Sukjong demoted Queen Jang to Consort Jang and reinstated Queen Inhyeon. Consort Jang was eventually executed (with poison) for cursing Queen Inhyeon after the latter died. Soron faction supported the crown prince, Consort Jang's son, while Noron faction supported Consort Choi's son, Yeonying-gun (later to become Yeongjo). Late Queen Inhyeon and newly installed Queen Inwon were childless.

Soron vs. Noron

In 1718, Sukjong let the crown prince, soon to be Gyeongjong, rule the country as a regent. He died in 1720 supposedly after telling Yi Yi-myoung to name Yeonying-gun as Gyungjong's heir, but in absence of histriographer or recorder. This will would lead to yet another purge which led to execution of four Noron leaders in 1721, followed by another purge with executions of eight Noron people in 1722.

Under the reigns of Yeongjo and Jeongjo in the 18th century, the kings pursued a strict politcy of equality, favoring no faction over another. However, in Jeongjo's reign, strife re-emerged as the rulinng Noron faction split further between the Byeokpa and Sipa, two groups which cut across the earlier factions and differed in their attitudes concerning Yeongjo's murder of his son, who was also Jeongjo's father.

Decline

The division and subsequent conflict of these factions generally revolved around minor issues and reflected dogmatic and rigid nature of their philosophical interpretations. Sarim philosophy, which was progressive in Jo Gwang-jo's time, became very conservative and fundamentalist over time. The power struggle between these factions were marked by bloody purges with each change of power and resulted in a vicious cycle of revenge. The minior issues that divided these factions distracted the officials from real problems that affected the populace. Nevertheless, factional conflicts had some positive side as well. Compared to late Jungjong and Myeonjong period, corruptions were limited since any faction engaged in undue corruption would become an easy target for impeachment by its rival faction. Sukjong's reign, which saw some of the most intense factional struggles since Seonjo and Gwanghaegun's time, was one of more prosperous periods for the populace.
In the 19th century, Joseon politics shifted as in-law families rather than scholarly factions came to dominate the throne. For most of the 19th century, the Jangdong branch of the Andong Kim clan was in control of the government, which led to rampant corruption throughout the country.

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