In Honam society of the Late Joseon period, from the 16th through 17th centuries, disputes like Ki-Chuk-Oak-Sa(己丑獄事), Lee Yi and Seong Hon`s Mun-Myo-Jong-Sa(文廟從祀), and Yesong(禮訟) in line with the changes in the political climate of the central government raged on unceasingly, Nohron(老論) eventually became the leading political faction in the Honam region. The Suncheon Park clan of Gwangju was instrumental in encouraging this shift of events. The Suncheon Park clan rose to prominence at the turn of the 17th century as their familial organization strengthened. In the 1660s, as the Park clan started to turn out more and more successful candidates who passed the highest-level state examinations, they committed themselves to establishing ordinances for the ancestor worship ceremonies in respect of the founding fathers in Gwangju and later they set the standard for the entire Honam region. They received endorsements from respected scholars like Song Shi Yeol(宋時烈) allowing them to issue their genealogical record which elevated the status of the clan. During the middle of the 18th century, in an effort to consolidate ties between different factions, they were to construct Jincheonsa(眞泉祠) shrine in honor of the prominent figures of the factions. On the matter of inheritance the Park clan took care not to discriminate against illegitimate sons, distributing enough for them to make a modest living off the land and be part of the community. The rise of the Suncheon Park clan of Gwangju was propelled by their political and social activities in the central and regional governments in the later part of the 17th century. They were to establish close ties with the central government through holding supervisory positions in Gwangju in the early 17th century. In the event of Ye-Song disputes(禮訟論爭) during the latter part of the 17th century, the clan adhered to Song Shi Yeol`s Ye-ron(禮論) argument which led to significant increase in number of candidates who succeeded in passing the Saengwonkwa(生員科, Classics Licentiate Examinatin) and the Chinsakwa(進士科, Literary Licentiate Examinatin). In the central government Park Chi Do(朴致道) who passed the Munka(文科, Erudite Examinatin) with the support from the Seoin(西人) and Nohron faction, was appointed to the post of Cheonghyeonjik(淸顯織), and later filled the Seungji(承旨) post, thus enabling the clan to become one of the pre-eminent Nohron factions in the Honam region. Moreover, the Suncheon Park clan of Gwangju formed an alliance with the neighboring clan of the Seoin affiliation, steadily expanding their influence over the rural districts while securing Seoin faction`s legitimacy. Park Gwang Hu(朴光後), in accordance to the wishes of Song Shi Yeol, installed a shrine honoring Kim Jang Saeng(金長生) and Kim Jip(金集) in the Wolbong Lecture Hall(月峯書院). When Song Shi Yeol was sentenced to banishment following his defeat over the Ye-Song dispute, Park rallied kindred spirits in Gwangju and Naju region spearheading a campaign to clear his name and stood behind Seoin`s view of Jeong Gae Cheon(鄭介淸). Park even paid a personal visit to Song Shi Yeol`s place of exile in Jangki of Gyeongsang province under the auspices of the minister of Gwangju who had Seoin leanings. Following in the wake of Park Gwang Hu, the likes of Park Gwang Il(朴光一) carried on Song Shi Yeol`s Neo-Confucianism, campaigning vigorously for Song`s release on behalf of the Nohron faction in the Honam region. In the late 17th century, in the midst of fierce strife among political parties, the Suncheon Park clan of Gwangju chose Nohron and Seoin as their particular color in the political spectrum establishing themselves as the most prestigious Nohron faction in the region. Through their alliances with principal figures of Nohron in the central and provincial governments they sought to extend their influences and secure their legitimacy. Furthermore, indebted to the tireless efforts of these Nohron influenced clans, it became possible for Honam region to evolve into the heart of the mainstream Nohron faction during the late Joseon Dynasty.

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