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 minor 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 the late Jungjong and Myeonjong periods, corruption was limited since any faction engaged in excessive 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. Factions Philosophical lineage Yi Saek --> Jeong Mong-ju --> Gil Jae --> Kim Suk-ja --> Kim Jong-jik (Yeongnam Sarim) --> Kim Gueng-pil --> Jo Gwang-jo (Giho Sarim, Gimyo Sarim) Yeongnam School Yi Eon-jeok --> Yi Hwang Yi Hwang --> Yu Seong-ryong, Kim Seong-il Jo Shik --> Choe Young-gyeong, Jeong In-hong, Gwak Jaeu Giho School Seo Gyeong-deok --> Yi I, Heo Gyun, Hwang Jin-i Yi I -> Kim Jang-seng --> Kim Jip --> Song Siyeol Seong Soo-chim --> Seong Hon Division Sarim --> Eastern (Yeongnam School) --> Southern (Yi Hwang) Northern (Jo Shik, Seo Gyeong-deok) --> Greater Northern Lesser Northern Western (Giho School) --> Noron (Yi I) Soron (Seong Hon) Political leaders Eastern: Kim Hyo-won (his house was on eastern side) Northern: Yi Bal (his house was below northern Bukak Mountain), Yi San-hae, Jeong In-hong Greater Northern: Yi San-hae, Hong Yeo-sun, Heo Gyun Lesser Northern: Nam Yi-gong, Kim Seon-guk Southern: Woo Seong-jeon (his house was below South Mountain), Yu Seong-ryong --> Heo Mok, Yoon Hyu --> Jeong Yak-yong Western: Shim Eui-gyeum (his house was on western side), Jeong Cheol--> Yi Haang-bok, Choe Myeong-gil --> Noron: Song Siyeol Soron: Han Tae-dong, Yoon Jeung See also Joseon Dynasty politics History of Korea References Korean philosophy Joseon dynasty