Evolution Korea
The democratic system in South Korea is vulnerable to populist impulses. However, it is more stable than one would expect.
The country is in search of a new development paradigm. A Confucian culture that values respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships continues to influence the way we live. There are indications of a secularist culture trend that is emerging.
Origins
In prehistoric times, the ancestors of modern Koreans lived on hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock, and made furs. They established tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also established an industry of metallurgy, which produced bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other countries and introduced block printing to Japan along with art styles as well as a written language and paper making.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was founded in the southern part of the peninsula. The state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. During this time, the people of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state of hierarchy with the monarch and top officials were members of the aristocracy of the land, while the majority of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens, and often required them to join the army or take part in government projects such as building fortifications.
Onjo Prince Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo, founded the state of Baekje at the close of the time. This new kingdom expanded its territory to the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war 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 concept as a law in 1390 CE. In the name of filiopiety, fathers were responsible to their families. They must be obeyed by everyone and respected by their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, who would rule from 918 until 1392 CE gave the world the Hangul alphabet based on the shapes made by the mouth when it was pronounced. This greatly improved communication between people and led to an explosion in the writing of Buddhist texts. Woodblock printing and the movable metal type were also refined. It was at this time that the Samguk sagi or 'History of the Three Kingdoms' first appeared in 1145 CE.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times to. Early evidence of human settlements can be seen in the form cist graves lined with stone, with valuable items like amazonite jewelry that were buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, and made of large stones in a single piece, 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 under the control of 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, which historians do not believe to be a true Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Of 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 the Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy thrived for some time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged, and the three kingdoms began to cooperate in order to expand their territory. In the final phase, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated the other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea enters a post-crisis era the way it develops appears to be changing. People who are shocked by the enormous cost of the old systems advocate a comprehensive program of liberalization of labor, capital and product markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system seek to keep it in place by leveraging nationalist sentiments and exaggerating fears of job loss.
Analysts and academics are divided over the extent to which Korea's development is influenced by these two trends. This article focuses on the five phases of Korea's development in terms of its political development: illiberal democracies (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877), democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). This article also highlights significant factors that may be influencing these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made progress in promoting their views to this segment. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly three-quarters of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated that there was no scientific evidence to support the theory; 39% said it contradicted their religious beliefs, and 17% said they did not comprehend it. The level of doubt is similar to the United States where a similar percentage do not believe humans evolved from lesser advanced types of life.
In the past, the majority of the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on teaching college students and 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 keynote speakers. This event was attended by an impressive crowd of scientists, professors, and church leaders.
The success of this event resulted in the creation of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31 1981. The meeting was covered extensively in the national press, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a newsletter titled CREATION. In it, the group reported on its own activities and published articles on the scientific evidence for the existence of God. It also translated a number of slides and film strips from ICR, as well as several books on creationism that were published outside of Korea. KACR members taught throughout the nation in universities and churches.
A KACR success was seen at the KAIST University in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were so fascinated by creationism that they raised funds and received funding to construct an enlightened museum on campus.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine called CREATION, which covers topics in the field of creation science. It also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also established a network of local branches, which hold seminars and provide talks to school children and other community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late nineteenth century and into the early twentieth 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. During this time the samulnori, or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drummers and other instruments of music.
Korea's new model of development is being created in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The primary challenge for the new regime is to strike the right balance between market-oriented and state-led economic policies. Info involves altering incentives, monitoring, or disciplining schemes which have been a part of the system prior the crisis. These issues are covered in Chapters 3 & 4.
Established 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 migrants from northern China. Baekje, one of the major regional powers in the early 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 commanderies on the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries resulted in the development of powerful local factions. Gungye, a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. He also was in control of a portion of present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
His rule was however short-lived. Info , a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and unified Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo without a fight as his successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms, and strengthened the centralized ruling system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms period. From then on the Korean peninsula was under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly developed into powerful states on the peninsula and in Manchuria.