Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is susceptible to populist impulses. It is still healthier than expected.
The country is searching for a new way of developing. A Confucian culture that values respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships continues to influence the way we live. There are indications of a secularist culture trend emerging.
Origins
In prehistoric times, the ancestors to modern Koreans were capable of survival through hunting and gathering wild foods. Then around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate crops like millet and beans. They also raised livestock and even made furs. These tribes formed tribal states in succession in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also established a metallurgy business, making bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other countries and introduced celadon and block printing to Japan and also art styles, a written language, and papermaking.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon came into existence in the southern region of the peninsula. The state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture including Confucian philosophy. In this time, the inhabitants of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure in which a monarch and senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy whereas the rest of the population was peasants. The state imposed taxes on the citizens and sometimes required them to fight in the army or work on projects for the government like building fortifications.
Onjo the prince of Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo, founded the state of Baekje towards the end of the time. The new kingdom grew its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and clashed with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the region. Baekje took on Confucian ideas into its state belief system in 1390 CE and introduced the male-centric concept of filiopiety a tenet. In the name of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families, and had to be respected and obeyed by all, including their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, a nation that was ruled from 918 to 1392 CE and gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based on the shapes created by the mouth when it pronounces. 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 recorded for the first time.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements are visible in the form of graves lined with stones, with precious objects such as amazonite jewellery being buried along with the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, and made of single large stones, are prevalent throughout the country.
In the first second half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognizable political state. The peninsula was then ruled by a number of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) including Baekje and Goguryeo. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which the majority of historians don't consider to be a valid 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 weakened by the fall of Goguryeo (676 CE) and was left with only its southern territories in Manchuria and the the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, flourished for a time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to collaborate in order to expand their territory. In the final phase, Silla, with significant Chinese aid, conquered the other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea is entering the post-crisis phase the development paradigm of the country appears to be changing. People who are shocked by the enormous cost of the old system are urging a thorough program of liberalization of capital, labor, and product markets. On the other hand, champions of the old system seek to keep it in place by leveraging nationalist sentiments and generating fear over potential job losses.
Analysts and academics are divided about the extent to which Korea's development is influenced by these two trends. This article reviews developments to date, by looking at five phases of Korea's political development: illiberal democracy (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) and authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87), democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and democratic participation (2002 to the present). This article also identifies the key factors that appear to be shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. The creationists have been successful in promoting their views among this population. A 2009 survey revealed that almost a third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of 바카라 에볼루션 who voted, 41% stated there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% said it contradicted their religious beliefs; and 17% said they did not comprehend it. This level of doubt is similar to that in the United States, where a majority of people do not believe that humans evolved from earlier forms of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution campaign in Korea was primarily focused on the education of students and the introduction of Christ to them. In 1980, a four-day creation science seminar was held in Seoul during the World Evangelization Crusade. Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Gish of ICR as the featured speakers. This event drew a large audience 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 31st, 1981. The inauguration event was widely reported in the national press, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and attracted a lot of attention.
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 the subject that were published outside of Korea. KACR members also gave talks in universities and churches across the country.
A KACR success was witnessed at the KAIST University in Seoul. There, students were so fascinated by the concept 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 public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine called CREATION, which covers topics in the field of creation science. It has also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also organized local branches that conduct seminars and present talks to children in schools and other community groups.
The evolution of South Korea
In the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts, as well as other fashion elements imported from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. In this period, the famous samulnori, or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the public. These dramatic dances were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and various types of musical instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new development paradigm. The primary challenge facing the new regime is to find the right balance between state-led economic policies and market-oriented ones. It also involves rethinking the incentives and monitoring schemes that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are examined in Chapters 3 and 4.
Baekje, founded by Onjo Prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was established by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo, and other areas as well as migrant workers from northern China. Baekje, one of the major regional powers in the early 4th Century extended its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. In the process, it entered into frequent conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies across the border.
The decline of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries enabled powerful local factions to rise. Gungye, 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. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
His rule was however only for a short time. After his defeat, Gungye was replaced 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 heir state. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized government system. This marked the conclusion 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 and Silla gradually became powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.