Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is prone to populist tendencies. However, it is more stable than might be expected.
The country is searching for a new paradigm of development. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for the ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to influence the society. There are indications of a secularist cultural trend forming.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of the modern Koreans lived on hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to grow crops such as millet and beans. They also raised livestock and created 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 also traded with other countries and introduced block printing to Japan and also styles of art, a written language, and papermaking.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon came into existence in the southern part of the peninsula. The state embraced Chinese culture that included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. In this period the inhabitants of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical with the monarch and top officials came from the aristocracy of the land, whereas the rest of its population was peasants. The state collected taxes from these people, and sometimes forced them to serve in the army or build fortifications.
Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo, founded the state of Baekje at the close of the period. This new kingdom expanded into the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war against the Goguryeo commanderies and China's in the area. Baekje incorporated aspects of Confucian beliefs into its official beliefs and made the male centered concept of filiopiety 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 to 1392 CE established 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. Woodblock printing and movable type were also refined. In 1145 CE, the Samguk Sagi, or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was recorded for the first time.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The earliest evidence for human settlements is evident in the form of graves lined with stone, with precious goods like amazonite jewelry being buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens and built from single large stones are widespread throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first state to be recognized during the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was later controlled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) which included Baekje and Goguryeo. The northern portion of the peninsula was occupied for a period by the Balhae Kingdom that historians do consider to be a genuine Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, also known as the Several States Period. Among them, Baekje was the most powerful of them all however, its dynasty ended with the fall of Goguryeo in 676 CE, leaving the southern provinces of Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy flourished for a short time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged, and the three kingdoms began to cooperate to expand their territories. Silla with the help of the Chinese eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters the post-crisis period its development model appears to be in flux. The people who are awed by the cost of the old system are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of labor, capital and product markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system attempt to preserve it through nationalist sentiments, and by exaggerating fears about possible job loss.
Academics and analysts are divided about the extent to which Korea's development is being driven by these two trends. This article examines the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political development: democratic illiberalism (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87), democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and democratic participation (2002 to the present). This article also identifies key factors that appear to be the driving force behind these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made significant progress in promoting their beliefs to this group. A survey in 2009 found that nearly a third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those, 41% claimed that there wasn't enough scientific evidence to support evolution 39% claimed that the theory did not align with their beliefs and 17% claimed it was difficult to grasp. This level of disbelief approaches that in the United States, where a similar number of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced forms of life.
In the past, most 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 Giss of ICR were the main speakers. This event was attended by a large audience of scientists, professors and church leaders.
The event's success led to the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31st in 1980. The inauguration event was widely reported in national newspapers, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and also was well-received by the public.
KACR started publishing a newsletter titled CREATION. In it, the organization presented its own work and published articles on the scientific evidence for creationism. Going In this article translated a number of film strips and slides from ICR as well as some books on creationism that were already published outside of Korea. KACR members delivered lectures in churches and universities throughout the country.
One example of an 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 support to build a small museum dedicated to creation on campus.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine called CREATION. The magazine covers a variety of topics in the creation science. It also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established local branches, which hold seminars and give talks to school children and other community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized lifestyle. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts and other style elements imported from abroad. Similarly, traditional Korean music styles were replaced by contemporary jazz and rock and roll. During this time the famous samulnori or masked dance-dramas, were popular with the general public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and other musical instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new model of development. The new regime's main challenge is the balance between state-led economic policies and market-based ones. It also involves changing the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining strategies that have shaped the pre-crisis system. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 & 4.
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. Baekje was an important regional power in the 4th century expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. This meant that it was constantly in conflict with Goguryeo, and the Chinese commanders on the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries led to the rise of powerful local factions. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He ruled a portion of today's Jeolla province and Chungcheong. Later, 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 and later joined Baekje into Goryeo without a fight as his successor. 에볼루션 룰렛 introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the centrally-run system. This marked the conclusion of the Three Kingdoms period. From that point on the Korean peninsula was ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly grew into powerful states on the peninsula and in Manchuria.