Evolution Korea
The democratic system in South Korea is susceptible to populist impulses. However, it's healthier than might be expected.
The country is searching for a new paradigm of development. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relations continues influence society. There are indications of a secularist culture trend emerging.
Origins
In the prehistoric era the ancestors of today's Koreans were able to survive by hunting and gathering wild foods. About 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet and beans as well as other crops. They also raised livestock and also made furs. They established tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also established an industry of metalworking, making bronze tools, and later iron ones. They also traded with other countries and introduced block printing to Japan and also styles of art as well as a written language and papermaking.
Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. This state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture including Confucian philosophy. During this time, the people of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical society in which a monarch and high-ranking officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy whereas the majority of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens, and sometimes required them to join 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 expanded its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and fought with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the region. Baekje accepted Confucian ideas into its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and made the male-centered concept of filiopiety a doctrine. In the name of filiopiety, fathers were responsible to their families. They were expected to be obedient to everyone and respected by their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, a nation that was ruled from 918 to 1392 CE and gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based upon the shapes created by the mouth when it pronounces. This dramatically improved communication between people and led to an explosion in the writing of Buddhist texts. Woodblock printing and movable type were also improved. In 1145 CE, the Samguk Sagi, or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was first recorded.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements is visible in the form of graves lined with stones, with precious objects like amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, made of huge single stones, are prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first state to be recognized in the first half of 1st millennium BCE. After that the peninsula was ruled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCbetween 635 and 57 BC CE) including Baekje Goguryeo and Silla. The northern part of the peninsula was occupied for a period by the Balhae Kingdom, which historians do not believe to be a real Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Baekje is the most powerful of these states, was diminished by the fall of Goguryeo (676 CE) leaving only its southern regions in Manchuria, and the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a short period of time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to collaborate to expand their territories. Silla with the aid of the Chinese, eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea is entering a post-crisis period, its development paradigm seems to be in flux. The people who are awed by the enormous cost of the old systems are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of capital, labor and markets for products. On the other hand those who support the old system seek to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and inflating fears about job losses.
Analysts and academics are divided over the extent to which Korea's development is being driven by these two trends. This article assesses developments to date by analyzing five phases of the country's political evolution: the illiberal democratic period (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) and authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87), democratic paternalism (1987-2001), and participatory democracy (2002 to the present). This article also highlights significant factors that may influence these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made progress in promoting their beliefs to this group. A survey conducted in 2009 found that nearly a third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated that there was no scientific evidence to support the theory; 39% claimed that it did not align with their religious beliefs, and 17 percent said they did not know what it meant. This level of disbelief is comparable to that of the United States where a similar number do not believe that humans evolved from earlier types of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on teaching students and in bringing Christ to them. In 1980 an all-day creation science seminar was held in Seoul during the World Evangelization Crusade. Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Giss of ICR were the keynote speakers. The event attracted an impressive crowd of scientists, professors and church leaders.
The event's success resulted in the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31 in 1980. The event was extensively covered in the national press, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a newsletter titled CREATION. In it, the group presented its own work and published articles about scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several film strips and slides from ICR and also some books on the subject of creationism, which were published outside of Korea. 무료 에볼루션 gave lectures across the country at universities and churches.
One instance of a KACR success story took place at the KAIST university in Seoul. There, students were so fascinated by the concept of creationism that they raised enough money and support to put up an on-campus museum showing creationist models of fossils and other exhibits.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine called CREATION which covers topics in the field of creation science, and it has sponsored a series of talks by ICR staff. It also has an organization of local branch offices that offer talks and seminars to children and community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late 19th century and the beginning of 20th, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts, as well as other fashion elements imported from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. During this period the famous samulnori, also known as masked dancing-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the beat of shaman drummers and other instruments of music.
Korea's new model of development is being developed in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The primary challenge for the new regime is to find the right balance between market-oriented and state-led economic policies. It also involves changing the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining schemes that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are covered in Chapters 3 and 4.
Established by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established in the middle of the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other areas, and people from northern China. In the early 4th century, Baekje was a major regional power, and expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. It was therefore in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders at the border.
The fall of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries enabled powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He was the ruler of a large portion of the present-day Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju. He became an adversary to Goguryeo.
However the rule of his was short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935, and then united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo without a fight as his successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the central government system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. From that point on the Korean peninsula was under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly developed into powerful states on the peninsula, and in Manchuria.