Our Korean history (following Hulbert) continues with a familiar note. In 1678, Japan again wants more space in Pusan. It is granted.

Another surprise occurs in 1686. Roman Catholicism enters, and spreads rapidly, though many request that the foreigners leave. Rome, in their thinking, and in truth, represents a foreign power, and possible competition. It is amazing to me that Rome does as well as it does with the "hermit" kingdom that has been stung so hard by outside forces.

The Royal intrigues continue. In 1687 the 40-year-old king bears a son through a control-minded concubine. Listening to her, he makes his son the crown prince, and banishes the real queen in 1689, in favor of the concubine. The formerly respected prime minister is banished, and poisoned.

In 1692 everything reverses, except the deaths that cannot be. The king banishes his concubine, and recalls the queen, who dies in 1696. It is rumored that the concubine's sorcery is responsible for the queen's death. So now he poisons her. What a wretched life and reign. One can only begin to comprehend here the influence of false ideas, false religions. The light has not yet dawned.

Finally in 1720 the king goes into eternity. Kyong-jong Tawang is the new regent, the son of his father's mistress. He is a man of feeble intellect, and no interest in government. Not a great start here... Further, he is unable to have an heir because of a physical problem. His governing instincts, little to none, cause him to vacillate between the two feuding parties, both of whom want power. A cry goes forth for the king's brother to be king.

Another familiar mark throughout Korean history, and to this day, interjects itself in 1722: there is a severe famine, this time in the southern island Cheju-do, today a tourist attraction for newlyweds.

In 1724 the lack-luster monarch is poisoned. His brother takes office amid accusations of murder. The jury is still out on this one. Some say that things are so bad with this king that there are many who want him gone. At any rate, brother Yung-jong Tawang succeeds in having the longest reign of the Yi dynasty.

Great and needed reforms take place. He announces that party strife must cease. So strong is the trend of anti-bickering that the Noron party is dominant from his reign until 1905! He enforces total abstinence from wine and distilled liquor, making partaking of same a capital offense.

Happily, for the nation, a conspiracy to kill this king, on behalf of the dead ruler, his brother, fails.

The headline of 1733 reads "Constant famines." Truly the smile of God is not on this place, except to preserve a people who will come to know Him one day.

In 1734 Jung makes his second son heir, as his firstborn dies. But Junior would have had to wait a long time to be king. About 55 years! Read on...

1743. He does away with the Soron party. Well, that is one way to quell strife. Shades of the North today... He also bans all sorcery .

Then in 1751 the real heir is born. A grandson. He will "only" have to wait 38 years for his throne. Lots of on the job training, for sure.

More famines follow, along with the death of the Queen and the Queen mother.

By 1761 the king is over 70. He has lost his vigor of mind, but not his strength of will. As some have pointed out, this is a bad combination.

So what happens to the first heir in waiting, the king's beloved son? Though the Noron group is the only visible party,the party spirit still lives. Some cautious party members are wary of the heir. Using an ancient Korean method, they make up stories about the son. The senile dad believes them, and has his son killed. He is put in a casket first, alive, and starved to death.

At age 89, near the end of his reign, he sets the serfs free. This policy remains in effect well into the 20th century, when the nation as a whole is enslaved by Japan, then by the Communists in the North.

It is not a pure form of liberty that emerges. The common people continue to owe allegiance to one or another of the nobles. There is heavy taxation, tribute, service expected, restricted movement. In fact Hulbert says: "Even to this day [Hulbert wrote in 1905] the spirit of serfdom is a marked characteristic of the people."