In July 1655, Hong Myong-ha, a high official in the Joseon Dynasty, raised alarming concerns to King Hyojong regarding the widespread practice of the yangban class seizing homes from common people, termed 'yeoga talip'. This practice involved aristocrats forcibly taking over houses owned by ordinary citizens, an issue that was often ignored by local bureaucrats. Despite the efforts to combat this problem initiated by officials like Hong, 'yeoga talip' continued to be a persistent issue during the reigns of successive kings, indicating a deep-rooted societal problem where the elite exploited the powerless.

Throughout the turn of the 18th century, such injustices persisted, prompting continued actions from the throne. King Youngjo, upon ascending to the throne in 1724, ordered investigations into these land seizures. His reign marked a significant shift, as he sought to hold aristocrats accountable, leading to actual punishments meted out to offenders. In fact, instances were documented where aristocrats were punished for their actions, thus instilling a sense of awareness among the populace about the seriousness of this corruption. However, these measures still pointed to an ongoing struggle against the systemic abuse of power within the feudal hierarchies.

The cases of enforcement varied, often highlighting systemic bias against officials based on their social status. Notably, some aristocrats faced little or no consequences despite being involved in similar acts of land seizure, creating a perception of inequality that prevailed among officials. The contrasting treatments of individuals like Yu Gyeong—a lowborn official exiled for his actions—and Hong Chi-jung, a high-ranking bureaucrat who escaped punishment, illustrated the entrenched inequalities that plagued the society at that time. The King's interest in addressing the malpractices showed a willingness to confront these injustices, but the inconsistencies in punishment raised questions about genuine reform within the social structure of the Joseon Dynasty.