Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is prone to populist inclinations. Nonetheless, it is healthier than one would expect.
The country is in search of a new development paradigm. A Confucian culture that values respect for ancestors and gendered family relationships continues to influence the way we live. There are signs that a secularist culture is emerging.
Origins
In the early days the ancestors of modern Koreans were capable of survival through hunting and gathering wild food. Then around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate crops including millet and beans. They also raised livestock, and also made furs. They also established tribal states in succession in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also created an industry of metallurgy, which produced iron tools, including bronze. They traded with other states and introduced Celadon, paper making block printing art styles, as well as a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. This state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. At this time the people of Buyeo were incorporated into Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state of hierarchy with the monarch and top officials were from the land aristocracy, while the majority of the population were peasants. The state extracted taxes from these citizens and sometimes required them to fight in the army or work on projects of the government, like building fortifications.
At the end of the period, the state of Baekje was established by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. This new kingdom expanded its territory to the southwest of the peninsula and fought with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje accepted Confucian ideas into its state belief system in 1390 CE, and made the male-centered concept of filiopiety into a doctrine. Under the guise filiopiety, fathers were responsible to their families. They must be obedient to everyone and respected even by their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, a nation which ruled from 918 until 1392 CE, gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based upon the patterns created by the mouth when pronouncing. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. Additionally, movable metal type printing was introduced, and woodblock printing was refined. In 1145 CE the Samguk Sagi or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was the first to be recorded.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula has been habitable since Neolithic times. The earliest evidence of human settlements are visible in the form of graves lined with stone, with precious goods like amazonite jewellery being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, constructed from massive single stones, are common throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first state to be recognized in the first half of 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was later controlled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) which included Baekje and Goguryeo. The northern portion 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, also known as the Several States Period. Baekje is the most powerful of these states, was diminished by the fall of Goguryeo (676 CE) and was left with only its southern regions in Manchuria and the 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. In the end, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated all other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea enters a post-crisis phase, its development paradigm seems to be in flux. The people who are awed by the cost of the old systems support a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital, labor and product markets. On the other hand those who support the old system want to keep it in place by leveraging nationalist sentiments and exaggerating fears over potential job losses.
Academics and analysts are divided on the extent to which Korea's growth is being driven by these two trends. This article examines the five phases of Korea's evolution in terms of its political development: democratically illiberal democracies (1945-60), democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877), democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and participatory democracy (2002). This article also highlights the most important factors that are shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made significant progress in promoting their views to this segment. A 2009 survey found that nearly one third of respondents do not believe in the theory of evolution. Of the respondents, 41% stated that there wasn't enough scientific evidence to support evolution 39% of respondents said that the theory contradicted their religion and 17% claimed it was difficult to comprehend. This level of disbelief approaches that in the United States, where a similar number of people are not convinced that humans evolved from earlier species of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution campaign in Korea was focused on teaching students and in bringing Christ to them. A significant rise in interest in creation science came in the year 1980, when there was the inauguration of a four-day seminar during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul that featured Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Giss of ICR were the featured speakers. 에볼루션 룰렛 drew a large audience of professors, scientists, and church leaders.
The event's success resulted in the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31 of 1980. The event was extensively covered in the national media, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, which covered its activities and published articles about scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated a number of films and slides from ICR and a few books on creationism that were in print outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures across the country at universities and churches.
A KACR success was seen at the KAIST University in Seoul. There, students were so interested in the idea of creationism that they raised the funds and support needed to build a small museum on campus featuring creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its work, KACR has published a bimonthly publication called CREATION. This magazine covers topics that pertain to the science of creation. It also hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established a network of local branches that conduct seminars and present talks to children in schools and community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the late 19th century and into the early the 20th century, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced with miniskirts and other fashion elements from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. During this period the samulnori, or the masked dance-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed with the accompaniment of shaman drums and various types of musical instruments.
Korea's new development model is being created in the wake of the economic crisis. The main challenge for the new regime is to find the right balance between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. It also involves altering incentives, monitoring, or disciplining systems that have been a part of the system prior 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 as far as Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. In the process, it entered into frequent confrontation with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders along the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries led to the rise of powerful local factions. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He ruled a portion of today's Jeolla province and Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
His rule was however only for a short time. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935, and then united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo and acted as a peaceful successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the centrally-run system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was later under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla gradually grew into powerful states on the peninsula as well as in Manchuria.