Yangban
The Yangban were the ruling-class literati of pre-modern Korea. In 1392, these neo-confucian scholars helped to overthrow the Goryeo Dynasty, some of them attaining prominence as "meritorious subjects" in the ensuing Joseon Dynasty under founder Yi Seonggye and his successors.
The Yangban embraced neo-confucianism, which was based on knowing Li (principle) through Qi (material force) and vice versa. During the Joseon dynasty, the Yangban were essentially the ruling class and always aimed to maintain a truly confucian state.
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