Evolution Korea
The democratic system in South Korea is prone to populist tendencies. It's still more stable than expected.
The country is searching for a new development paradigm. A Confucian culture that values respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relations 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 survived by hunting and gathering wild food. Then around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate crops such as millet and beans. They also raised livestock and made furs. These tribes formed tribal states one after the other in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also developed an industry of metallurgy, which produced iron tools and bronze. They traded with other countries and introduced celadon and block printing to Japan along with styles of art as well as a written language and papermaking.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was founded in the southern region of the peninsula. This state adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. During this time, the people of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical with the monarch and top officials came from the aristocracy of the land, whereas the majority of the population was peasants. The state imposed taxes on the citizens and sometimes required them to fight in the army or participate in government projects such as building fortifications.
Onjo the prince of Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo and the state of Baekje towards the end of the period. The new kingdom grew its territory to the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war with Goguryeo and China's commandos in the region. Baekje introduced elements of Confucian beliefs into its official beliefs and made the male centered filiopiety concept as a law in 1390 CE. Under the guise of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families and had to be revered and obeyed by all people, even their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 until 1392 CE established the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to an increase in the writing of Buddhist text. Additionally, movable metallic 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 recorded in 1145 CE.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been continuously inhabited since Neolithic times and early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form graves lined with stone, with precious items such as amazonite jewellery being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens and built from single large stones are common in the country.
Gojoseon was the first state to be recognized during the first half of 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was ruled by various states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCfrom 635 CE) including Baekje Goguryeo and Silla. Moreover, the northern region of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which the majority of historians do not consider to be a legitimate Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Among them, Baekje was the most powerful state, but its dynasty ended when Goguryeo was defeated in 676 CE and left Baekje with its southern territories of Manchuria and the western region surrounding the Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy prospered for a period of time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to cooperate to expand their territories. Silla with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea is entering the post-crisis phase, its development paradigm is in flux. The people who are awed by the cost of the old systems are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of labor, capital and product markets. On the other hand the supporters of the old system seek to protect it by promoting nationalist sentiments, and by inflating fears about potential job loss.
Academic and policy analysts remain starkly divided as to the extent to the extent that these two trends are driving Koreas evolution towards an entirely new model of economic governance. This article examines developments to date, by looking at five phases of Korea's political development that include the illiberal democratic period (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001), and participatory democracy (2002 to the present). This article also highlights important factors that appear to be shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made significant progress in promoting their beliefs to this segment. A survey from 2009 showed that nearly one-third of respondents were against evolution. Of the respondents, 41% believed there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory; 39% believed it was contrary to their religious beliefs, and 17% said they did not know what it meant. This level of disbelief is similar to the United States where a similar percentage of people do not believe that humans evolved from earlier types of life.
In the past, most of the anti-evolution movements in Korea was focused on educating college students and leading them to Christ. In 에볼루션 무료체험 , 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 keynote speakers. This event drew an audience of scientists, professors, 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 meeting was covered extensively in the national media, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In it, the group reported on its own activities and published articles on scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR as well as some books on creationism that were already published outside of Korea. KACR members also gave talks in churches and universities throughout the country.
A KACR success was witnessed at KAIST University in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were so keen on the concept of creationism that they raised money and got funding to build an enlightened museum on campus.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine called CREATION, that covers topics related to 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 seminars and talks to schoolchildren and community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized style of life. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts, as well as other fashion elements from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. In this time the samulnori, or masked dancing-dramas were very popular. These dramatic dances were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums as well as various musical 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 find the right balance between market-oriented and state-led policies. It also involves altering incentives, monitoring, or disciplining systems that have been a part of the system prior the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 & 4.
Baekje, founded by Onjo the prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was established by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo and other areas and also by a migrant from northern China. Baekje, an important regional power in the 4th century, expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. Consequently, it came into frequent conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders along the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries led to the development of powerful local factions. Gungye was a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital and exerted control over part of the present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju. He was a rival to Goguryeo.
However his rule was not long-lasting. After Gungye's defeat, he was overthrown by a powerful local leader Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935, Later Baekje was peacefully integrated into Goryeo as an alternative state. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central rule system. This was the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. From that point on, the Korean peninsula was controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually developed into powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.