Evolution Korea
The democratic system in South Korea is susceptible to populist impulses. It's still more stable than was expected.
The country is seeking an entirely new model of development. The Confucian culture, which stresses respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to influence the society. However, there are signs that a secularist culture is gaining ground.
Origins
In the early days the ancestors of today's Koreans were able to survive by hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate crops including millet and beans. They also raised livestock and produced furs. They formed tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also created a metalworking industry, producing bronze tools and later iron ones. They traded with other states and introduced cedon, paper making block printing, art styles and a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. This state embraced Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. During this period the people of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure that included a monarch as well as senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy while the rest of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens and sometimes required them to serve in the army or take part in projects for the government like building fortifications.
By the end 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 to the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war with Goguryeo and China's commandos in the region. Baekje adopted Confucian ideas in its state beliefs 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. They must be obedient to everyone and respected even by their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 to 1392 CE gave the world the Hangul alphabet that was based on the shapes formed by the mouth when it was pronounced. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. In addition, movable metal type printing was introduced and woodblock printing was improved. It was during this period that the Samguk sagi, or 'History Of the Three Kingdoms' was first written in 1145 CE.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements can be found in the form cist graves lined with stone, and decorated with valuable items like amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, made of huge single stones, are also common throughout the country.
In the first half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognized political state. 에볼루션 was later under the control of a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE), including Baekje and Goguryeo. The northern part of the peninsula was occupied for a time by the Balhae Kingdom, which historians do not consider to be a genuine Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Of them, Baekje was the most powerful, but its dynasty ended with the fall of Goguryeo in 676 CE, leaving the southern provinces of Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy thrived for some time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to collaborate to expand their territories. In the final phase, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated all other states and united the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea enters a post-crisis era its development model appears to be changing. People who are shocked by the immense cost of the old system are urging a thorough program of liberalization in capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system try to preserve it through nationalist sentiments, and by inflating fears about potential job loss.
The academic and policy analysts remain starkly divided as to the extent to the extent that these two trends are driving Koreas shift towards an entirely new model of economic governance. This article analyzes the five phases of the Korean evolution in terms of its political development including democratically illiberal democracies (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877) democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). 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. Creationists have had success in promoting their views to this population. A 2009 survey found that nearly a third of respondents did not believe in the theory of evolution. Of those, 41% said there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% said it contradicted their religious beliefs. 17% said they did not know what it meant. This level of disbelief approaches that in the United States, where a majority of people do not accept that humans evolved from earlier types of life.
In the past, the anti-evolutionist campaign in Korea was primarily focused on teaching students and in bringing Christ to them. A significant increase in the interest in creation science occurred in the year 1980, when there was a four-day seminar held during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul which featured Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Gish of ICR as the featured speakers. The event attracted a large audience of professors, scientists, and church leaders.
The success of this event led to the establishment of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31 1981. The event was widely covered in national newspapers including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, which reported on its activities and published articles about the scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR and several books on creationism that were published outside of Korea. KACR members lectured throughout the country in churches and universities.
One example of an KACR success story occurred at the KAIST university in Seoul. There, students were so interested in creationism that they raised the money and support to construct a small museum on campus with creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine, CREATION, which covers topics in creation science, and it has sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established a network of local branches, which hold seminars and present talks to children in schools and other community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts and other style elements imported from overseas. In the same way, traditional Korean music styles were replaced by modern rock and roll and jazz. At this time the famous samulnori or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and other instruments of music.
Korea's new development model is being formed in the wake of the economic crisis. The main challenge for 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 and monitoring policies that created the pre-crisis system. These issues are covered in Chapters 3 & 4.
Established by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by people living along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other regions, as well as people from northern China. Baekje was one of the major regional powers in the early 4th century, expanded its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. As a result, it was in frequent confrontation with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies across the border.
The fall of Silla in the late 8th and early 9th centuries allowed powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye, a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. 에볼루션 held control over a portion of the present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
The rule of his was, however, short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and unified Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo without a fight as his successor. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central rule system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was then under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually developed into powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.