The study of the nature and principle which had been introduced to Korea in the eleventh century developed the theory of mind-nature through the debate of four beginnings and seven feelings in the sixteenth century. It created an academic environment in which scholars only advocated for Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi's thought in the late seventeenth century. By the early eighteenth century, scholars began to debate whether human nature and things nature are same or different. In 1709, Yi Gan and Han Won-jin, who were the students of Kwon Sang-ha, started the debate that human nature and things nature are same or different. Yi Gan argued that the nature of human beings and that of animals were the same but Han Won-j in claimed that they were different. This debate was related to foreign policy in the Choson dynasty at that time. Those who advocated for human nature and things nature same theory supported reconciliation with the Qing dynasty. On the other hand those who advocated for human nature and things nature different theory argued for war with the Qing dynasty. The debate that human nature and things nature are same or different which proceeded around 100 years influenced not only academics but also society in the late Choson dynasty. First, when this debate was unfolding, the idea that people are equal emerged for the first time. Second, this debate contributed to the adoption of impartiality policy and the rise of Northern Korean Learning School. Third, the human nature and things nature same theory brought about changes in the perception on China, which contributed to embrace the culture of Qing dynasty.