From the mid-Chosǒn period, the ruling elite endeavored to promote Confucian institutions and values throughout society. One example of this was the universal application of three years of mourning. The general population responded actively to the efforts of the ruling elite, and a larger group of people observed the three years of mourning. However, during the reign of King Injo, there were debates about the rules of mourning that questioned the appropriateness of the universal application of three years of mourning and whether individuals could prioritize their emotions over ritual regulations when expressing filial piety to their biological parents. As a result, the idea that people should take their social situation and status into account when expressing filial piety has been emphasized. Non-elite in Chosǒn comprehended the significance of the ruling elite’s discourse on mourning rituals and were able to apply the newly constructed concept of filial piety to their own lives. This means that the discussions about mourning rituals that occurred in the Chosǒn dynasty made the people to reflect on and exchange Confucian ideas, which helped to strengthen the people’s sense of belonging to the state. This also means that the process of state-led construction of 'Chosǒn identity' in Chosǒn Korea was steadily progressing.