Politics During King Gwanghaegun's Reign (1610s)

Timeline

1. 1611–1615Hanseong · JoseonGwanghaegun bypassed royal in-laws and old factions to take direct control of personnel and finances. The equal-service law, commercial taxes, and the ginseng monopoly increased state revenue, partly used for postwar reconstruction and court expenses. His economic policies angered conservative yangban, but improved state finances relative to the late reign of Seonjo.
2. 1613Hanseong · JoseonGwanghaegun purged leading members of the Westerners faction on charges of treason, known historically as the Eumyo Purge. This greatly weakened the opposition and placed royal authority above factional debate, but also sowed deep enmity; surviving pro-Ming Westerners later became the main force behind the restoration coup.
3. 1616–1620Joseon · JoseonFacing the rise of Later Jin and Ming's decline, Gwanghaegun refused to send troops to aid Ming and did not ally with Later Jin, maintaining nominal tributary relations with Ming. The border tensions of 1618–1619 and diplomatic missions to Ming both reflected this balancing strategy, which kept Joseon temporarily clear of war but drew strong domestic criticism from the pro-Ming (sadae) faction.