Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist impulses. However, it is more stable than what one might expect.
The country is looking for an alternative development model. A Confucian culture that values respect for ancestors and gendered family relations continues influence the way we live. However, there are signs that a secularist culture is gaining ground.
Origins
In the early days, the ancestors to modern Koreans were capable of survival through hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans, and other crops. They also raised livestock and even made furs. These tribes 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 tools. They traded with other nations and introduced block printing to Japan and also styles of art, a written language, and papermaking.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was established in 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 state that was hierarchical where the monarch and senior officials were members of the land aristocracy, while the rest of its population was peasants. The state extracted taxes from the citizens and often required them to serve in the army or work on government projects such as building fortifications.
By the end of this period the state of Baekje was established by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and was the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. This new kingdom expanded its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and clashed with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje included elements of Confucian beliefs into its official belief system and made the male-centric filiopiety idea 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 would rule from 918 until 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet that was based on the shapes formed by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and movable type were also improved. 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 was habitable from Neolithic times to. Early evidence of human settlements can be found in the form cist graves lined with stone, with valuable items like amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, built from enormous single stones, are also prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first political state to be recognized during the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. After that, the peninsula was ruled by several states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCfrom 635 CE) including Baekje Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. The northern part of the peninsula was for a while occupied by the Balhae Kingdom which historians do not consider to be a genuine Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states arose in the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Baekje is the most powerful of these states was weakened by the collapse of Goguryeo (676 CE) leaving only its southern regions in Manchuria, and its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo as well as the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a time.
에볼루션 룰렛 emerged and the three kingdoms began to work together to expand their territories. Silla with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea is entering a post-crisis period, its development paradigm seems to be changing. 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 the people who support the old system seek to preserve it through nationalist sentiments, as well as by exaggerating fears about possible job losses.
Policy and academic analysts are starkly divided as to the extent to the extent that these two trends are driving Koreas evolution towards a new model of economic governance. This article examines the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political development that include illiberal democracy (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) and authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001), and democratic participation (2002 to the present). This article also identifies key elements that are driving these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made progress in promoting their views to this segment. A survey in 2009 revealed that almost a third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% of respondents claimed that it did not align with their religious beliefs, and 17 percent said they didn't understand it. The level of doubt is similar to the United States where a similar number do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced types of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution campaign in Korea focused primarily on the education of students and in bringing Christ to them. In 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. This event attracted a huge number of church leaders and scientists.
The success of this event resulted in the founding of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st, 1981. The meeting was covered extensively in national newspapers including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a newsletter titled CREATION. In CREATION, the organization presented its own work and published articles about scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated a number of films and slides from ICR and also some books on the subject that were already in print outside of Korea. KACR members delivered lectures in churches and universities throughout the country.
One instance of an KACR success story took place at the KAIST university in Seoul. There, there were enough students interested in the idea of creationism that they raised the money and support to construct an on-campus museum showing creationist models of fossils and other exhibits.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly publication called CREATION. The magazine covers a variety of topics that pertain to the science of creation. It also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It also has a network of local branch offices that host talks and seminars to schoolchildren and community groups.
The evolution of South Korea
In the latter half of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok was replaced by miniskirts and other foreign fashion elements. In the same way, traditional Korean music styles were replaced by modern rock and roll and jazz. In this period, the famous samulnori, or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the public. These dramatic dances were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and various musical instruments.
Korea's new development paradigm is being developed in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The new regime's main challenge lies in the proper balance between state-led economic policies as well as market-based ones. It also requires altering incentives, monitoring, or disciplining systems that have created the system prior to the crisis. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 and 4.
The Baekje was founded by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by people living along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other regions, as well as immigrants from northern China. Baekje, one of the major regional powers in the 4th century, expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. As a result, it was in frequent confrontation with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies across the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries led to the development of powerful local factions. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He was the ruler of a large portion of today's Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju. He became an adversary to Goguryeo.
However, his rule was short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla and later joined Baekje into Goryeo peacefully as a successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the centrally-run system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. From that point on, the Korean peninsula was ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly developed into powerful states on the peninsula and in Manchuria.