The policy benefited the dynasty well during its early days, and many civilian officials were also able military commanders, such as Kang Kam-ch'an and Yun Kwan.
In 998, King Mokjong put military under civilian command, causing the coup d'état of General Kang Cho.
In 1170, King Uijong went to his royal villa to rest and to hold another feast, and he also held a martial arts competition.
Then, many of king's advisers to the court and eunuchs forced General Yi So-ŭng, who was at his late fifties, to face the champion, who was about 20.
Then, a young civilian official named Han Roe, insulted the general and even slapped him across his face in front of the king and many fellow soldiers.
The incident caused the long grievances of military to explode; young soldiers, notably Colonels Yi Ŭi-bang, Yi Ko and Chae Won, urged Chŏng to launch a coup d'état against the entire government and the king, who favored civilian officials over army.
Then Yi began to oppress Buddhism and Confucianism, executed many civilian administrators and scholars, raped royal family members and forced the Crown Prince to marry his daughter.
His despotic reign caused the grief of many people, and finally in 1174, a chain of rebellion that lasted for 50 years began in Pyongyang by Cho Wi-chong.
Politics drifted toward iniquity, and many people thought another coup d'état was necessary to put an end on Chŏng's unjust rule.