Literati Purges of the Joseon Dynasty: The Struggle Between Sarim and Hungu
The Literati Purges, known in Korean as sahwa (scholars' calamity), were a series of violent political upheavals during the late 15th and 16th centuries. These events were characterized by the systematic persecution of Sarim scholars—intellectuals rooted in Neo-Confucianism—by their political rivals in the royal court. These purges were not merely random acts of violence but the result of a deep-seated ideological and social clash within the yangban (aristocratic) class of the Middle Joseon Dynasty.
The Roots of Conflict: Hungu vs. Sarim
The political landscape of the era was split between two primary factions. The Hungu faction consisted of the "Meritorious Subjects," established elites who had gained power by helping found the Joseon Dynasty or through subsequent service to the crown. They controlled the State Council and the Six Ministries, wielding immense administrative power.
In contrast, the Sarim faction were followers of the Neo-Confucian school of Kim Chong-jik. Initially, Sarim scholars avoided the royal court, preferring to study and teach in rural provinces, especially after King Sejo's usurpation of the throne in 1455. However, during the reign of King Seongjong, the Sarim began to enter government through the Samsa (Three Offices). The Samsa served as government watchdogs, consisting of:
- Office of Inspector General (Sahŏnbu): Responsible for impeaching corrupt officials.
- Office of Censors (Saganwŏn): Tasked with criticizing the policies of the king and his ministers.
- Office of Special Advisors (Hongmun'gwan): A research institute that advised the king on Confucian philosophy.
Using the Samsa as a base, the Sarim scholars launched aggressive campaigns against the Hungu faction, accusing them of corruption. This friction eventually ignited four major purges between 1498 and 1545.
Key Facts
- Sahwa: Literally translates to "scholars' calamity."
- Primary Conflict: A power struggle between the established Hungu faction and the rising Sarim scholars.
- The Four Major Purges: Occurred in 1498, 1504, 1519, and 1545.
- Outcome: Despite losing the immediate confrontations, the Sarim eventually became the dominant political force in Joseon.
- Institutional Base: The Sarim utilized the Samsa (Three Offices) to challenge central authority.
The Four Major Literati Purges
The First Purge (1498): Muo Sahwa
The first purge occurred under King Yeonsangun and was sparked by a personal grudge. Kim Ilson, a Sarim scholar, included writings by his teacher Kim Chong-jik in the royal records. These writings were critical of King Sejo's usurpation of the throne. Because Yeonsangun was a descendant of Sejo, this was viewed as treason. The Hungu faction seized this opportunity to eliminate their rivals. Kim Ilson and others were executed via Lingchi (slow slicing), and Kim Chong-jik was posthumously beheaded.
The Second Purge (1504): Kapja Sahwa
This purge was driven by King Yeonsangun's rage over the death of his biological mother, the Deposed Queen Yun, who had been executed by poison in 1482. Yeonsangun targeted anyone involved in her death, regardless of faction. This indiscriminate purge affected both the Sarim and the Hungu factions. Approximately 239 officials were executed, exiled, or dismissed, and many families were enslaved or killed.
The Third Purge (1519): Kimyo Sahwa
The third purge is the most analyzed due to the radical reforms led by the Sarim leader Cho Kwangjo. Cho sought to implement a pure Neo-Confucian state and revoked the privileges of Hungu officials who had falsely claimed credit for the 1506 coup. This created fierce enemies.
The Hungu faction used a clever ruse to bring him down. Nam Kon allegedly wrote the phrase "Cho will become king" using honey on mulberry leaves, allowing caterpillars to eat the leaves and leave the characters behind. This "heavenly warning" made King Jungjong suspicious of Cho's ambitions. On November 15, 1519, Cho and his supporters were arrested. Despite protests from hundreds of students, Cho Kwangjo was eventually executed by poison in 1520.
The Fourth Purge (1545): Eulsa Sahwa
The final major purge was less about ideology and more about a power struggle between royal in-laws. After the death of King Injong, the twelve-year-old King Myeongjong ascended the throne. His mother, Queen Munjeong, acted as regent, and her brother Yun Wŏnhyŏng seized power. Yun Wŏnhyŏng accused his rival, Yun Im, and his Sarim supporters of plotting to change the succession. This led to the execution of Yun Im and over one hundred others.
Summary of the Literati Purges
| Purge Name | Year | Primary Cause | Key Figures Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muo Sahwa | 1498 | Criticism of King Sejo's usurpation | Kim Ilson, Kim Chong-jik |
| Kapja Sahwa | 1504 | Vengeance for Deposed Queen Yun | Both Hungu and Sarim factions |
| Kimyo Sahwa | 1519 | Radical reforms and royal suspicion | Cho Kwangjo |
| Eulsa Sahwa | 1545 | In-law power struggle (Yun factions) | Yun Im and Sarim scholars |
Beyond the Sahwa: Other Political Purges
While the sahwa specifically refer to the Sarim-Hungu conflict, Joseon history saw other types of purges. These include Oksa (treason cases), such as the Gichuk Oksa of 1589, which involved infighting within the Sarim faction itself; Hwanguk (sudden shifts in power), where factions like the Western and Southern factions traded control; and Bakhae (persecutions), specifically targeting Catholics in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main difference between the Hungu and Sarim factions?
The Hungu were established elites who gained power through merit and service to the early kings, while the Sarim were Neo-Confucian scholars who initially lived in rural areas and emphasized moral integrity and classical teachings over political pragmatism.
Why did the Sarim eventually win despite losing every major purge?
The Sarim maintained a strong structural presence in the provinces through seowon (private academies) and the Hyang'yak (village code) system. This grassroots influence allowed them to outlast the Hungu and eventually take control of the central government by the reign of King Seonjo.
How did the "honey on leaves" plot lead to Cho Kwangjo's downfall?
Nam Kon used honey to write characters on mulberry leaves that, when eaten by insects, formed the name "Cho" and the phrase "will become king." This was presented to King Jungjong as a divine omen, fueling the king's fear that Cho Kwangjo intended to usurp the throne.
Were the Literati Purges the only political conflicts in Joseon?
No. While the sahwa were the most prominent early conflicts, the dynasty later experienced oksa (treason cases), hwanguk (power shifts), and bakhae (religious persecutions), often involving different factions or ideologies.