Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist impulses. It's still more stable than we had hoped for.
The country is seeking a new way of developing. The Confucian culture, which stresses respect for the ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to be influential in the society. But there are signs that a secular culture is gaining ground.
Origins
In prehistoric times, the ancestors of modern Koreans lived on hunting and gathering wild food. About 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans, and other crops. They also raised livestock and also made furs. These people formed tribal states one after another in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also created an industry of metalworking, making bronze tools, and later iron ones. They traded with other states and introduced Celadon paper making block printing art styles, and written language to Japan.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was founded on the southern part of the peninsula. This state adopted Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. At this time the inhabitants of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure that included a monarch as well as senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy whereas the rest of the population was peasants. The state imposed taxes on the citizens and often required them to fight in the army or participate in projects for the government like building fortifications.
Onjo Prince Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo and the state of Baekje at the end of the time. The new kingdom grew into the southwest region of the peninsula, and was at war against Goguryeo's commanderies and China's in the region. Baekje accepted Confucian ideas in its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and established the male-centric notion of filiopiety a tenet. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families. 에볼루션코리아 were expected to be obeyed by everyone and respected even by their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, a country which ruled from 918 until 1392 CE, gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based on the patterns created by the mouth when pronouncing. 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 refined. It was at this time that the Samguk sagi, or 'History Of the Three Kingdoms' was first written in 1145 CE.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form of graves paved with stones, and adorned with valuable items like amazonite jewelry that were buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens and built of large stones in a single piece, are widespread throughout the country.
In the first half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognisable political state. After that, the peninsula was ruled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCfrom 635 CE) including Baekje Goguryeo and Silla. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which many historians do not consider to be a valid Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, also known as the Several States Period. Baekje is the most powerful of these states, was diminished by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE) leaving only its southern territories in Manchuria, and the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a while.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged, and the three kingdoms began to cooperate in order to expand their territory. Silla with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters the post-crisis era the development paradigm of the country is in flux. Those who are appalled by the huge cost of the old system are urging the need for a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital, labor, and product markets. On the other hand supporters of the old system are seeking to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and generating fear of job loss.
Policy and academic analysts are in a tense debate about the extent to these two developments are driving Koreas development towards a new model of economic governance. This article analyzes the five phases of Korea's development in terms of its political development including illiberal democracies (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877), democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). This article also identifies significant factors that may influence these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made progress in promoting their views to this group. A survey in 2009 revealed that almost three-quarters 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% claimed that it did not align with their religious beliefs, and 17 percent said they didn't know what it meant. This level of disbelief is similar to that of the United States where a similar percentage of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced forms of life.
In the past of the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on educating college students and in bringing them to Christ. In 1980 an all-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. The event was attended by 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 31 of 1980. 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, where it covered its activities and also published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated a number of slides and film strips from ICR as well as a few books on creationism which were published outside of Korea. KACR members taught throughout the nation in universities and churches.
A KACR success was seen at KAIST University in Seoul. There, enough students were fascinated by the concept of creationism that they raised the money and support needed to build an on-campus museum with creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly publication called CREATION. This magazine covers topics that pertain to the science of creation. It also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established a network of local branch offices that host talks and seminars to schoolchildren and other community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late 19th century and the beginning of 20th, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts and other fashion elements from abroad. Similar to the way traditional Korean music styles were replaced by contemporary rock and roll and jazz. In the period of this transition the samulnori, or the masked dance-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the beat of shaman drums and other instruments of music.
The economic crisis has formed Korea's new development paradigm. The main challenge for the new regime is the balance between the state-led economic policies and market-based ones. It also involves changing the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining schemes that have shaped the system before the crisis. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 and 4.
Baekje was 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. 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. It was therefore in constant conflict with Goguryeo, and the Chinese commanders on the border.
The fall of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries saw powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as its capital. He controlled a part of the present-day Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
However, his rule was short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo peacefully as a successor. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized ruling system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms period. The Korean peninsula was then ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly developed into powerful states on the peninsula as well as in Manchuria.