A combination of literati purges in the…

A combination of literati purges in the early sixteenth century, Japanese invasions at the end of the century, and Manchu invasions in the middle of the next century severely debilitate the Joseon state, which will never again reach the heights of the fifteenth century.

This period also sees the Manchus sweep away the Ming Dynasty in China, ending a remarkable period when Korean society has seemed to develop apace with China, while making many independent innovations.