Evolution Korea
The democratic system in South Korea is vulnerable to populist impulses. However, it's healthier than might be expected.
The country is in search of an alternative development model. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for ancestors and gendered family relations continues to influence society. There are indications of a secularist culture trend emerging.
Origins
During prehistoric times the ancestors of the modern Koreans survived by hunting and gathering wild food. Then around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate crops such as millet and beans. They also raised livestock and created furs. They formed tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also created an industry of metalworking, making bronze tools and later iron ones. They traded with other states and introduced celadon, paper making, block printing art styles, as well as a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state adopted Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture including Confucian philosophy. During this time the people of Buyeo were part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical state where the monarch and senior officials were from the land aristocracy, while the rest of its population were peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens and sometimes even forced them to join the army or construct fortifications.
Onjo the prince of Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo established the state of Baekje at the end of the time. The new kingdom grew into the southwest of the peninsula, and fought against Goguryeo's commanderies and China's in the area. Baekje adopted Confucian ideas in its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and introduced the male-centric concept of filiopiety a doctrine. Under the guise filiopiety, fathers were responsible to their families. They were expected to be obeyed by everyone and admired by even their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, a country that ruled from 918 until 1392 CE, gave the world the Hangul Alphabet, based on the shapes that were created by the mouth when it pronounces. This greatly improved communication and led to an increase 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.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements can be found in the form cist graves lined with stone, with precious objects like amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens and constructed from single large stones are widespread 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), including Baekje and Goguryeo. Moreover, the northern region of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which many historians don't consider to be a valid 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 diminished by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern territories in Manchuria, and 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 cooperate to expand their territories. Silla, with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea is entering the post-crisis phase, its development paradigm appears to be in flux. Those who are appalled by the immense cost of the old system are urging an extensive program of liberalization in capital, labor, and product markets. On the other hand champions of the old system want to keep it in place by leveraging nationalist sentiments and evolutionkr.kr inflating fears about job losses.
The academic and policy analysts remain starkly divided as to the extent to the extent that these two developments are driving Koreas development towards an economic model that is radically different from the one of governance. This article assesses the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political development including the illiberal democratic period (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 key factors that seem to be influencing these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have succeeded in promoting their beliefs to this group. A 2009 survey showed that nearly a third of respondents were against evolution. Of those who voted, 41% said that there was insufficient evidence from science to support the theory 39% claimed that the theory was in contradiction to their religious beliefs and 17% claimed it was difficult to comprehend. This level of doubt is similar to the United States where a similar percentage of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced species of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on the education of students and 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 Giss of ICR were the keynote speakers. This event attracted a large number of professors, church leaders and scientists.
The success of this event led to the establishment of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st, 1981. The event was widely covered in national newspapers including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a newsletter titled CREATION. In it, the organization published its own activities and published articles about scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated a number of slides and film strips from ICR as well as some books on creationism which were published outside of Korea. KACR members lectured throughout the country in churches and universities.
A KACR success was witnessed at the KAIST University in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were so keen on the concept of creationism that they raised money and got funding to build an enlightened museum on campus.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine, CREATION. This magazine covers topics that pertain to the science of creation. It also sponsored a series lectures by ICR staff. It has also created a network of local branch offices that give seminars and talks to schoolchildren and community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early 20th century, Korea began to adopt an increasingly Westernized lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced by miniskirts, and other fashion elements from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. In this time the famous samulnori, also known as dance-dramas with masks were extremely popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drummers as well as other instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new development paradigm. The primary challenge for the new regime is to find an equilibrium between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. It also requires a change in the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining strategies that have been a part of the system prior to the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 and 4.
The Baekje was 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 regions, as well as migrants from northern China. Baekje was an important regional power in the early 4th century extended its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. Consequently, it came into frequent confrontation 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 was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as its capital. He was the ruler of a large portion of the present-day Jeolla province and Chungcheong. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju. He became a rival to Goguryeo.
His rule was however only for a short time. After his defeat, Gungye was replaced by a powerful local leader, Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935, Later Baekje was peacefully integrated into Goryeo as an alternative state. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized rule system. This marked the conclusion of the Three Kingdoms period. The Korean peninsula was then under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually became powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.