Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is vulnerable to populist impulses. Nonetheless, it is healthier than might be expected.
The country is looking for an innovative development paradigm. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to influence the society. However, there are signs that a secular culture is emerging.
Origins
In the prehistoric era the ancestors of the modern Koreans were capable of surviving by hunting and gathering wild foods. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet and beans as well as other crops. They also raised livestock and created furs. These people formed tribal states in succession in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also developed an industry for metalworking, which produced bronze tools and later iron tools. They also traded with other countries and introduced celadon and block printing to Japan, as well as styles of art as well as a written language and paper making.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state adopted Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture including Confucian philosophy. In this time, the inhabitants of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical with the monarch and top officials were from the aristocracy of the land, while the majority of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from the citizens and sometimes required them to fight in the army or participate in government projects such as building fortifications.
At the close of this period, the state of Baekje was established by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and was the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. The new kingdom grew into the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war with China's commandos and Goguryeo's in the area. Baekje included elements of Confucian thought into its state belief system and made the male centered filiopiety idea an official doctrine in 1390 CE. In the name of filiopiety, fathers were responsible for their families and they must be respected and obeyed by all people, even their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 to 1392 CE gave the world the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth when it was pronounced. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and the movable metal type were also refined. In 1145 CE the Samguk Sagi, or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was the first to be recorded.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been habitable since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form of graves lined with stones, with precious goods such as amazonite jewellery being buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, constructed from enormous single stones, are also prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon became the first political state to be recognized during the first half of 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was then under the control of a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) which included Baekje and Goguryeo. The northern region of the peninsula was occupied for a time by the Balhae Kingdom which historians do not believe to be a real Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Baekje is the most powerful of these states, was weakened by the collapse of Goguryeo (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern regions in Manchuria, and western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to work together to expand their territories. Silla with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters the post-crisis period the development paradigm of the country appears to be changing. People who are shocked by the huge cost of the old system are urging a thorough program of liberalization in capital as well as labor and product markets. On the other hand, those who support the old system want to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and inflating fears of job loss.
Policy and academic analysts are sharply divided on the extent to these two trends are driving Koreas evolution towards an economic model that is radically different from the one of governance. This article examines developments to date by analyzing five phases of Korea's political evolution: the illiberal democratic period (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72), authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and participatory democracy (2002 to present). This article also highlights key factors that seem to be shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made strides in promoting their views to this group. A 2009 survey revealed that almost one third of respondents do not believe in evolution. Of the respondents, 41% stated that there wasn't enough scientific evidence to support evolution 39% claimed that the theory contradicted their religion and 17% said it was difficult to comprehend. The level of doubt is similar to the United States where a similar percentage of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced types of life.
In the past, most of the anti-evolution movements in Korea was focused on educating college students and in bringing them to Christ. In 1980 the year 1980, a four-day creation science seminar was held in Seoul during the World Evangelization Crusade. Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Giss of ICR were the main speakers. This event was attended by an impressive crowd of professors, scientists, and church leaders.
The success of this event led to the creation of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31 1981. The inauguration meeting was widely covered in the national press, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo, and it was well-received by the public.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, where it covered its activities and also published articles on the scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several films and slides from ICR and also a few books on creationism that were already in print outside of Korea. KACR members lectured throughout the nation in universities and churches.
에볼루션 룰렛 of an KACR success story was at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were keen on the concept of creationism that they raised money and secured funding to construct a small museum dedicated to creation on campus.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly publication called CREATION. The magazine covers a variety of topics in the creation science. It also hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established a network of local branches that conduct seminars and give talks to children in schools and community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late 19th century and the beginning of 20th, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced with miniskirts and other foreign fashion elements. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. In the period of this transition, the famous samulnori or masked dancing-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drummers as well as other musical instruments.
Korea's new development model is being formed in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The primary challenge facing the new regime lies in the proper balance between the state-led economic policies and market-oriented ones. It also requires a change in the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining schemes that have created the system prior to the crisis. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 and 4.
Baekje, founded by Onjo, prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was founded by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo, and other areas as well as migrant workers from northern China. In the 4th century, in the early part of, Baekje was a major regional power and expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. In the process, it entered into frequent battle with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders across the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries led to the development of powerful local factions. Gungye was a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. It also was in control of a portion of present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju. He was an adversary to Goguryeo.
The rule of his was, however, short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla Later, he incorporated Baekje into Goryeo and acted as a peaceful successor. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized government system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was then ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly grew into powerful states on the peninsula, and in Manchuria.