Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist tendencies. However, it's healthier than might be expected.
The country is searching for a new way of developing. A Confucian culture that values respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships continues to influence the society. There are signs of a secularist cultural trend emerging.
Origins
During prehistoric times the ancestors of the modern Koreans survived by hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate millet and beans as well as other crops. They also raised livestock and made furs. They established tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also developed a metalworking industry, producing bronze tools and later iron ones. They traded with other states and introduced cedon paper making block printing art styles, as well as a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture including Confucian philosophy. In this period the people of Buyeo were incorporated into Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical where the monarch and senior officials were from the land aristocracy, while the rest of the population were peasants. The state extracted taxes from the citizens and often required them to join the army or participate in projects of the government, like building fortifications.
At the close 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 its territory into the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje adopted Confucian ideas into its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and introduced the male-centric concept of filiopiety a doctrine. Under the guise of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families and had to be respected and obeyed by all people, even their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who would rule from 918 until 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth when it was pronounced. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. Additionally, movable metal type printing was introduced, and woodblock printing was refined. It was during this time that the Samguk sagi, or 'History Of the Three Kingdoms' first appeared in 1145 CE.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula was habitable from Neolithic times to. Early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form cist graves paved with stone, with valuable items like amazonite jewelry buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, made of massive single stones, are also widespread throughout the country.
Gojoseon became the first political state to be recognized in the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was ruled by various 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 the majority of historians do not consider to be a proper Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, also known as the Several States Period. Baekje was the most powerful of these states, was weakened by the fall of Goguryeo (676 CE) and was left with only its southern territories in Manchuria and the the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo as well as the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to work together to expand their territorial holdings. Silla with the aid of the Chinese eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters a post-crisis phase the way it develops appears to be changing. Those who are appalled by the huge cost of the old system are urging an extensive program of liberalization in capital, labor, and product markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system try to protect it by promoting nationalist sentiments, and by exaggerating fears about possible job loss.
Academic and policy analysts remain sharply divided on the extent to the extent that these two trends are driving Koreas shift towards an entirely new model of economic governance. This article examines the five phases of Korea's evolution in terms of its political development that include democratically illiberal democracies (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877), democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). 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. The creationists have been successful in promoting their beliefs to this population. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly one third of respondents do not believe in evolution. Of those, 41% said that there was insufficient scientific evidence to support the theory 39% claimed that it did not align with their religious beliefs. 17 percent said they didn't know what it meant. This level of doubt is similar to that in the United States, where a similar percentage of people do not accept that humans evolved from less advanced species of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution movement in Korea was primarily focused on the education of students and in bringing Christ to them. An increase in the interest in creation science occurred in 1980, with the inauguration of a four-day seminar during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul which featured Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Giss of ICR were the main speakers. 무료에볼루션 attracted a huge number of professors, church leaders, and scientists.
The success of this event resulted in the establishment of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st 1981. The inauguration meeting was widely covered in national newspapers, such as The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo, and it was well-received by the public.
KACR started publishing a newsletter titled CREATION. In CREATION, the organization presented its own work and published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR as well as some books on creationism which were published outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures in universities and churches across the country.
A KACR success was witnessed at KAIST University in Seoul. There, there were enough students interested in creationism that they raised the money and support to construct a small museum on campus showing creationist models of fossils and other exhibits.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine called CREATION, which covers topics in creation science. It also sponsored a series of talks by ICR staff. It also has local branches that conduct seminars and provide talks to children in schools and community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt an increasingly Westernized lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts and other style elements from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. In this time the famous samulnori, also known as dance-dramas with masks were extremely popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the beat of shaman drummers as well as other musical instruments.
Korea's new model of development is being formed in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The new regime's main challenge is the balance between the state-led economic policies and market-oriented ones. It also requires a change in the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining schemes that have been a part of the pre-crisis system. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 and 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. 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. The kingdom was in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders at the border.
The decline of Silla in the late 8th and 9th centuries allowed powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He ruled a portion of the present-day Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. 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 united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla Later, he incorporated Baekje into Goryeo peacefully as a successor. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized government system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was later controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla gradually grew into powerful states on the peninsula, and in Manchuria.