Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is prone to populist impulses. It's still better than expected.
The country is in search of an innovative development paradigm. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships continues to influence the society. There are signs of a secularist cultural trend that is emerging.
Origins
During prehistoric times the ancestors of modern Koreans lived by hunting and gathering wild food. Then around 10,000 years ago, they began to grow crops including millet and beans. They also raised livestock and made furs. These tribes formed tribal states one after another in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also developed a metalworking industry, producing bronze tools and later iron ones. They also traded with other countries and introduced block and celadon printing to Japan and also art styles and a written language and paper making.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was established in the southern part of the peninsula. The state adopted Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. At this time the people of Buyeo were incorporated into Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical society in which a monarch and senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy whereas the majority of the population were peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens and often required them to fight 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 founded by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. The new kingdom expanded to the southwest part of the peninsula, and fought with China's commandos and Goguryeo's in the region. Baekje took on Confucian ideas into its state belief system in 1390 CE and established the male-centric notion of filiopiety a tenet. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were responsible to their families. They had to be obeyed by all and respected by their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, which would rule from 918 until 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet based on the shapes made by the mouth when it was pronounced. This greatly improved communication and led to an increase in the writing of Buddhist text. Additionally, movable metal type printing was introduced, and woodblock printing was improved. It was during this time that the Samguk sagi, also known as 'History of the Three Kingdoms' was first written in 1145 CE.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been continuously inhabited since Neolithic times and early evidence of human settlements are evident in the form stone-lined cist graves with precious items like amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, built from massive single stones, are also widespread throughout the country.
In the first half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognized political state. The peninsula was later controlled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) including Baekje and Goguryeo. In addition, the northern region of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians do not consider to be a proper Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Baekje was the most powerful of these states was diminished by the collapse of Goguryeo (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern regions in Manchuria, and its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, flourished for a short period of time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to collaborate to expand their territories. Silla with the aid of the Chinese eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters a post-crisis era, its development paradigm seems to be in flux. People who are shocked by the enormous cost of the old system advocate an extensive program of liberalization of capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand the supporters of the old system try to preserve it through nationalist sentiments, and by stoking fears of job loss.
Academics and analysts are divided about the extent to which Korea's growth is being driven by these two trends. This article focuses on the five phases of Korea's 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 participatory democracy (2002). This article also highlights the most important factors that appear to be the driving force behind these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. The creationists have been successful in promoting their beliefs to this group. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly one-third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of the respondents, 41% stated that there was not enough scientific evidence to support evolution 39% of respondents said that the theory contradicted their religion; and 17% said it was difficult to comprehend. This level of doubt is comparable to that of the United States where a similar percentage do not believe humans evolved from earlier forms of life.
In the past, the majority of the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on teaching college students and leading them to Christ. In 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 huge number of professors, church leaders and scientists.
The success of this event resulted in the founding of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st, 1981. The event was widely covered in the national media, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR started publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In it, the group presented its own work and published articles about scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated several films and slides from ICR, as well as several books on creationism that were in print outside of Korea. KACR members delivered lectures in churches and universities throughout the country.
One instance of a KACR success story occurred at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were so keen on the concept of creationism that they raised money and secured funding to build a small museum dedicated to creation on campus.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine, CREATION. The magazine covers a variety of topics that pertain to the science of creation. It also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It also has a network of local branches, which hold seminars and give talks to children in schools and community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt an increasingly Westernized lifestyle. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts and other style elements from abroad. Similarly, traditional Korean music styles were replaced by contemporary jazz and rock and roll. At this time the samulnori, or masked dance-dramas, were popular with the public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the beat of shaman drummers as well as other instruments.
Korea's new model of development is being created in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The primary challenge for the new regime is to strike the right balance between market-oriented and state-led policies. It also requires changing 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.
The Baekje was founded 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 immigrants 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. This meant that it was constantly in conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies on the border.
The fall of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries enabled powerful local factions to rise. 에볼루션코리아 was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He controlled a part of the present-day Jeolla province and Chungcheong. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
However, his rule was short-lived. 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 a successor state. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central government system. This marked the conclusion of the Three Kingdoms period. From then on the Korean peninsula was controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually developed into powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.