Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is vulnerable to populist impulses. It's still more stable than was expected.
The country is looking for an entirely new model of development. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes 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 beginning to emerge.
Origins
In the early days the ancestors of modern Koreans were capable of survival through hunting and gathering wild foods. About 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock and created furs. These people formed tribal states one after the other in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also created an industry of metalworking, making bronze tools, and later iron ones. They also traded with other countries and introduced block and celadon printing to Japan along with styles of art, a written language, and paper making.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon came into existence on the southern part of the peninsula. This state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. In this time, the inhabitants of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure in which a monarch and senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy while the majority of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from these people and sometimes even forced them to serve in the army or to build fortifications.
Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong the founder of Goguryeo established the state of Baekje at the close of the period. This new kingdom expanded its territory to the southwest of the peninsula and fought with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje included elements of Confucian thought into its state beliefs and made the male-centric filiopiety concept as a law in 1390 CE. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families. They had to be obedient to everyone and respected by their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who would rule from 918 to 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth during pronunciation. 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 improved. It was at this time that the Samguk sagi or 'History of the Three Kingdoms' was first recorded in 1145 CE.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula has been continuously inhabited since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements is visible in the form of stone-lined cist graves with precious goods like amazonite jewellery being buried along with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, and made of single large stones, are common in the country.
In the first part of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognized political state. The peninsula was later ruled by a number of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) including Baekje and Goguryeo. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which the majority of historians do not believe to be a valid Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Baekje, the most powerful of these states was weakened by the fall of Goguryeo (676 CE) leaving only its southern regions in Manchuria and the its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy, thrived for a time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged, and the three kingdoms began to cooperate in order to expand their territorial holdings. Silla with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters a post-crisis era the way it develops appears to be in flux. People who are shocked by the enormous cost of the old system advocate the need for a comprehensive program of liberalization in capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand the supporters of the old system try to keep it alive through 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 developments are driving Koreas development towards a new model of economic governance. This article reviews the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political development that include 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 highlights the most important factors that are shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have had success in promoting their views to this group. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that almost one-third of respondents were against evolution. Of the respondents, 41% believed there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% said it contradicted their religious beliefs, and 17% said they did not comprehend it. This level of doubt is similar to that of the United States, where a similar number of people do not accept 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 the year 1980, 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 featured speakers. 에볼루션 게이밍 was attended by an impressive crowd of professors, scientists, and church leaders.
The success of this event led to the establishment of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31 1981. The inaugural meeting was widely covered in national newspapers, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo, and it received wide attention.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, in which it covered its activities and published articles on the scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR, as well as a few books on creationism that were published outside of Korea. KACR members taught throughout the country in churches and universities.
A KACR success was seen at KAIST University in Seoul. There, enough students were 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, and it has hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established a network of local branch offices that host seminars and talks to schoolchildren and community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early 20th century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts and other style elements imported from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. In this time the samulnori, or dance-dramas with masks were extremely popular. These dramatic dances were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and various types of musical instruments.
The economic crisis has formed Korea's new development paradigm. The main challenge for the new regime is to strike a balance between market-oriented and state-led policies. It also involves altering incentives, monitoring, or discipline schemes that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 & 4.
Baekje, founded by Onjo, prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo, was founded by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo, and other areas, as well as migrants from northern China. Baekje was one of the major regional powers in the early 4th century extended its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. In the process, it entered into frequent conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders along the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries resulted in the rise of powerful local factions. Gungye, a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. He also held control over a portion of the present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. 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 then united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla Later, he incorporated Baekje into Goryeo and acted as a peaceful successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the central government system. This was 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 grew into powerful states on the peninsula and in Manchuria.