Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is prone to populist impulses. Nonetheless, it is healthier than might be expected.
The country is looking for a new paradigm of development. The Confucian culture, which stresses respect for ancestors and as and gender-specific family relationships, continues to influence the society. There are indications of a secularist culture trend that is emerging.
Origins
In the prehistoric era the ancestors of modern Koreans lived on hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock and produced furs. These people formed tribal states in succession in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also created an industry for metalworking, which produced bronze tools, and later iron ones. They traded with other nations and introduced block printing to Japan and also styles of art, a written language, and paper making.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was founded on the southern part of the peninsula. This state adopted Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. During this time, the people of Buyeo were incorporated into Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state of hierarchy where the monarch and senior officials were from the aristocracy of the land, whereas the rest of its population was peasants. The state took taxes from these citizens and sometimes even forced them to join the army or construct fortifications.
Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo, founded the state of Baekje at the close of the period. This new kingdom expanded into the southwest part of the peninsula, and was at war against Goguryeo's commanderies and China's in the area. Baekje took on 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 obeyed by everyone and respected even by their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, who would rule from 918 until 1392 CE gave the world the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to a boom in the writing of Buddhist text. Additionally, movable metallic type printing was introduced and woodblock printing was refined. In 1145 CE, the Samguk Sagi or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was first recorded.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times and early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form of stone-lined cist graves with precious items such as amazonite jewellery being buried along with the dead. 에볼루션 코리아 , also known as dolmens and built of large stones in a single piece, are widespread throughout the country.
Gojoseon became the first political state to be recognized during the first half of 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was then controlled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) which included Baekje and Goguryeo. Moreover, the northern region of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians do not consider to be a proper Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, also known as the Several States Period. Baekje was the most powerful of these states was diminished by the fall of Goguryeo (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern regions in Manchuria and the its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo as well as the Gaya confederacy, thrived for a short period of time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged, and the three kingdoms began to cooperate in order to expand their territory. In the end, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated the other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea is entering a post-crisis period, its development paradigm seems to be changing. Those who are appalled by the enormous cost of the old system would prefer a thorough program of liberalization of capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand, champions of the old system are seeking to preserve it by leveraging nationalist sentiments and generating fear of job loss.
Analysts and academics are divided about the extent to which Korea's evolution is influenced by these two trends. This article reviews the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political evolution that include democratic illiberalism (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72), authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87), democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and democratic participation (2002 to present). This article also identifies key 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 revealed that almost three-quarters of respondents did not believe in the theory of evolution. Of those who voted, 41% said that there was not enough evidence from science to support the theory; 39% said the theory was in contradiction to their religious beliefs and 17% said it was difficult to comprehend. This level of disbelief approaches that in the United States, where a majority of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced forms of life.
In the past 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 keynote speakers. This event attracted a large number of pastors, professors, church leaders, and scientists.
The event's success resulted in the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31st in 1980. The inauguration meeting was widely covered in national newspapers, such as The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and also was well-received by the public.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, which reported on its activities and also published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated film strips and slides from ICR as well as some books on creationism that were already published outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures across the country at universities and churches.
A KACR success was seen at KAIST University in Seoul. There, students were so interested in the idea of creationism that they raised the 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, CREATION, which covers topics in creation science. It has also hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established an organization of local branch offices that give talks and seminars to schoolchildren and community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early 20th century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts and other fashion elements from overseas. Similar to the way traditional Korean music styles were replaced by modern jazz and rock and roll. During this time, the famous samulnori, or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the general public. These dramatic pieces were performed with the accompaniment of shaman drums as well as various types of musical instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new development paradigm. The primary challenge for the new regime is to find a balance between market-oriented and state-led economic policies. It also requires a change in the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining strategies that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are examined in Chapters 3 and 4.
Established by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by the people who lived along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other areas, and migrants from northern China. Baekje, one of the major regional powers in the 4th century extended its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. As a result, it was in frequent battle with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies along the border.
The decline of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries allowed strong local factions to emerge. 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. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju. He became an adversary to Goguryeo.
However his rule was not long-lasting. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935, and then united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla Later, he incorporated Baekje into Goryeo and acted as a peaceful successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms, and strengthened the centralized ruling system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. From then on the Korean peninsula was controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly grew into powerful states on the peninsula as well as in Manchuria.