Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is prone to populist tendencies. However, it is more stable than what one might expect.
The country is searching for an innovative development paradigm. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for ancestors and as and gender-specific family relationships, continues to be influential in the society. However, there are signs that a secular culture is beginning to emerge.
Origins
In the prehistoric era, the ancestors to today's Koreans were capable of surviving by hunting and gathering wild foods. About 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans, and other crops. They also raised livestock and also made furs. They formed tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also established a metallurgy industry, producing iron tools and bronze. They traded with other states and introduced Celadon, paper making block printing art styles, and a written language to Japan.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was founded on the southern part of the peninsula. The state adopted Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. During this time, the people of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical society in which a monarch and senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy whereas the rest of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens, and sometimes required them to join the army or construct 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 time. This new kingdom expanded its territory into the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war with Goguryeo and China's commandos in the region. Baekje accepted Confucian ideas into its state beliefs system in 1390 CE, and introduced the male-centric concept of filiopiety a doctrine. In the name of filiopiety fathers were responsible for their families, and had to be respected and obeyed by all, including their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, a country which ruled from 918 until 1392 CE, gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based on the shapes created by the mouth while pronouncing. This significantly improved communication between people, and led to an explosion in the writing of Buddhist texts. Woodblock printing and movable metal type were also improved. It was during this time that the Samguk sagi, also known as 'History of the Three Kingdoms' first appeared in 1145 CE.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements are evident in the form of stone-lined cist graves with precious goods such as amazonite jewellery being buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, built from enormous single stones, are also prevalent throughout the country.
In the first part of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognized political state. The peninsula was later controlled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) which included Baekje and Goguryeo. In addition, the northern region 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, or Several States Period. Baekje, the most powerful of these states, was diminished by the fall of Goguryeo (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern regions in Manchuria and the the 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 collaborate to expand their territories. Silla with the aid of the Chinese, eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters a post-crisis phase, its development paradigm seems to be changing. People who are shocked by the enormous cost of the old system are urging the need for a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital as well as labor and product markets. On the other hand those who support the old system want to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and generating fear about job losses.
Academic and policy analysts remain sharply divided on the extent to which these two trends are driving Koreas development towards an economic model that is radically different from the one of governance. This article focuses on the five phases of Korea's development in terms of its political development that include democratic democracies that are not liberal (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877) democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). This article also highlights the most important elements that are shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made significant progress in promoting their views to this segment. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that almost a third of respondents did not believe in the theory of evolution. Of the respondents, 41% believed there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% believed it was contrary to their religious beliefs, and 17% said they did not comprehend it. This level of disbelief is comparable to that in the United States, where a similar number of people do not accept that humans evolved from earlier species of life.
In the past, most of the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on teaching college students and leading them to Christ. In 1980 the year 1980, a four-day creation science seminar was held in Seoul during the World Evangelization Crusade. Drs. 에볼루션 게이밍 Evolution and Duane Giss of ICR were the keynote speakers. This event was attended by an impressive crowd of scientists, professors, and church leaders.
The success of this event led to 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 also attracted a lot of attention.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, where it published its activities and also 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 gave lectures across the country in churches and universities.
A KACR success was observed at KAIST University in Seoul. There, there were enough students interested in the idea of creationism that they raised the money and support needed to build a small museum on campus featuring creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its work, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine 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 branches in local offices that host seminars and talks to schoolchildren and community groups.
The evolution of South Korea
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized style of life. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok was replaced by miniskirts, and other foreign fashion elements. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. During this period the samulnori, or dance-dramas with masks were extremely popular. These dramatic dances were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums as well as various musical instruments.
Korea's new model of development is being developed in the wake of the economic crisis. The primary challenge for the new regime is to find the right balance between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. It also requires a change in the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining strategies that have shaped the system before the crisis. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 & 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 areas, and people from northern China. Baekje, a major regional power in the 4th century, expanded its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. This meant that it was constantly in conflict with Goguryeo, and the Chinese commanders on the border.
The fall 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 its capital. He ruled a portion of today's Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju. He was a rival to Goguryeo.
His rule was however only for a short time. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla Later, he incorporated Baekje into Goryeo without a fight as his successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the central government system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. From that point on, the Korean peninsula was ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually grew to become powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.