Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is prone to populist tendencies. However, it's healthier than one would expect.
The country is in search of an innovative development paradigm. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to influence the society. There are signs that a secular culture is beginning to emerge.
Origins
In prehistoric times, the ancestors to today's Koreans were capable of survival through hunting and gathering wild foods. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock and made furs. These people formed tribal states one after another in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also established a metallurgy business, making iron tools, including bronze. They traded with other states and introduced celadon, paper making, block printing art styles, and written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state embraced Chinese culture, including Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. During this time the inhabitants of Buyeo were part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical society with a monarch and top officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy while the majority of the population was peasants. The state extracted taxes from the citizens and often required them to join the army or participate in projects for the government like building fortifications.
At the end of this period the state of Baekje was established by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and 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. Under the guise of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families and had to be respected and obeyed by all, including their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 to 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth when it was pronounced. This dramatically improved communication between people, and resulted in an explosion of the writing of Buddhist texts. In addition, movable metal type printing was introduced, and woodblock printing was improved. In 1145 CE, the Samguk Sagi, or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was recorded for the first time.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula was habitable from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form cist graves that were lined with stones, and adorned with precious items such as amazonite jewelry buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, constructed from enormous single stones, are widespread throughout the country.
In the first half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognisable political state. The peninsula was then under the control of a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) which included 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.
Following 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 Goguryeo's fall (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern territories in Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to collaborate to expand their territories. Silla with the help of the Chinese eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters a post-crisis era its development model appears to be in flux. Those who are appalled by the immense cost of the old system would prefer an extensive 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 stoking fears of job losses.
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 economic model that is radically different from the one of governance. This article analyzes the five phases of the Korean evolution in terms of its political development including illiberal democracies (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877) democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and participatory democracy (2002). This article also identifies significant factors that may be influencing these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. The creationists have been successful in promoting their views among this population. A survey from 2009 showed that nearly one-third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated that there was insufficient scientific evidence to support the theory 39% of respondents said it contradicted their religious beliefs. 17 percent said they did not comprehend it. This level of disbelief approaches that of the United States, where a similar percentage of people do not accept that humans evolved from less advanced types of life.
In the past, the anti-evolutionist campaign in Korea was primarily focused on the education of students and bringing Christ to them. In 1980 the year 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. The event was attended by a large number of pastors, professors, church leaders and scientists.
The success of this event resulted in the creation of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31, 1981. The event was widely covered in the national media, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, in which it covered its activities and published articles about scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated slides and film strips from ICR and also some books on creationism which were already published outside of Korea. KACR members taught throughout the country at universities and churches.
One instance of a KACR success story took place 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 an on-campus museum with creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine, CREATION, which covers topics in the field of creation science. It also hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established branches in local offices that host talks and seminars 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 lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced with miniskirts and other fashion elements from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. In this time the famous samulnori, also known as dance-dramas with masks were extremely popular. 에볼루션 코리아 were performed with the accompaniment of shaman drums as well as various musical instruments.
Korea's new development paradigm is being formed in the wake of the economic crisis. The biggest challenge facing the new regime is to strike a balance between market-oriented and state-led economic policies. It also requires changing incentives, monitoring, or disciplining systems that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 and 4.
Established by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by the people who lived along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other regions, as well as migrants from northern China. In the early 4th century, Baekje was a major regional power and expanded its territory as far as Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. It was therefore in constant conflict with Goguryeo, and the Chinese commanderies on the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries resulted in the development of powerful local factions. Gungye, a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. He also was in control of a portion of the present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
His rule 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. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central government system. This marked the conclusion of the Three Kingdoms period. From that point, the Korean peninsula was ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually developed into powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.