Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist tendencies. Nonetheless, it is healthier than one would expect.
The country is looking for an entirely new model of development. A Confucian culture that emphasizes respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relations continues influence the way we live. There are indications of a secularist culture trend forming.
Origins
During prehistoric times the ancestors of modern Koreans survived by hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock and created furs. These people formed tribal states one after another in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also developed a metalworking industry, producing bronze tools, and later iron tools. They traded with other nations and introduced block printing to Japan along with art styles, a written language, and paper making.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. This state embraced Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. At this time, the people of Buyeo were part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure that included a monarch as well as senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy while the rest of the population were peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens, and sometimes forced them to serve in the army or to build fortifications.
Onjo the prince of Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo established the state of Baekje towards the end of the time. The new kingdom expanded its territory to the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war with Goguryeo and China's commandos in the region. Baekje included elements of Confucian beliefs into its official belief system and made the male-centric concept of filiopiety as a law in 1390 CE. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families. They were expected to be obeyed by everyone and respected by their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who would rule from 918 until 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet based on the shapes made by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to an increase in the writing of Buddhist text. Additionally, movable metallic type printing was introduced, and woodblock printing was improved. It was during this period that the Samguk sagi, or 'History Of the Three Kingdoms' was first recorded in 1145 CE.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been continuously inhabited since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements are visible in the form of graves lined with stone, with precious objects like amazonite jewelry being buried along with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, made of huge single stones, are prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon became the first political state to be recognized in the first half of 1st millennium BCE. After that the peninsula was ruled by various states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC- 635 CE) including Baekje Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians do not consider to be a valid Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged in the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Baekje is the most powerful of these states was diminished by the collapse of Goguryeo (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern territories in Manchuria and the its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, flourished for a while.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged, and the three kingdoms began to work together to expand their territory. Silla with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters the post-crisis era its development model appears to be in flux. People who are shocked by the enormous cost of the old system would prefer a thorough program of liberalization in capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand supporters of the old system seek to keep it in place by leveraging nationalist sentiments and inflating fears over potential job losses.
Academic and policy analysts remain starkly divided as to the extent to which these two trends are driving Koreas shift towards an entirely new model of economic governance. This article analyzes the five phases of the Korean evolution in terms of its political development: democratic democracies that are not liberal (1945-60), democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877), democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). This article also identifies key factors that are driving these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. The creationists have been successful in promoting their views among this group. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that almost three-quarters of respondents did not believe in the theory of evolution. Of those, 41% claimed that there was not enough scientific evidence to support evolution 39% claimed that the theory was in contradiction to their religious beliefs and 17% claimed it was difficult to understand. This level of disbelief approaches that in the United States, where a majority of people do not accept that humans evolved from less advanced species of life.
In the past of the anti-evolution movements in Korea was focused on educating college students and in bringing them to Christ. A significant increase in interest in creation science began in 1980, with the inauguration of a four-day seminar during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul that featured Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Gish of ICR as the main speakers. This event drew an audience of scientists, professors and church leaders.
The success of this event resulted in the founding of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st 1981. The meeting was covered extensively in national newspapers including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, which published its activities and published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR as well as some books on creationism that were published outside of Korea. KACR members taught throughout the country at universities and churches.
One example of a KACR success story was at the KAIST university in Seoul. There, there were enough students fascinated by the concept of creationism that they raised enough money and support to construct an on-campus museum featuring creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine, CREATION. This magazine covers topics in the field of creation science. It also hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also created an organization of local branch offices that give talks and seminars to schoolchildren and community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts and other fashion elements from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. At this time the famous samulnori or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the general public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the beat of shaman drummers as well as other instruments.
The economic crisis has formed Korea's new paradigm of development. The biggest challenge facing the new regime is to strike a balance between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. Get Source requires changing incentives, monitoring or disciplining systems that have created the system prior to the crisis. These issues are covered in Chapters 3 and 4.
Founded by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by people living along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other regions, as well as immigrants from northern China. Baekje, an important regional power in the 4th century expanded its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. The kingdom was in constant conflict with Goguryeo, and the Chinese commanderies on the border.
The fall of Silla in the late 8th and early 9th centuries allowed powerful local factions to rise. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as its capital. He was the ruler of a large portion of the present-day Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
However, his rule was short-lived. After Gungye's defeat, he was overthrown by an influential local leader, Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935, Later Baekje was peacefully incorporated into Goryeo as an alternative state. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized rule system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was later ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually grew to become powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.