Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is susceptible to populist impulses. It's still more stable than expected.
The country is searching for an innovative development paradigm. The Confucian culture, which stresses respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to influence the society. There are indications of a secularist cultural trend forming.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of modern Koreans lived by hunting and gathering wild food. Around 에볼루션 게이밍 began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock and created furs. They created tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also developed an industry of metallurgy, which produced bronze and later iron tools. They 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. The state adopted Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture including Confucian philosophy. During this time the inhabitants of Buyeo were part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical state with the monarch and top officials were from the aristocracy of the land, whereas the majority of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from the citizens and sometimes required them to join the army or take part in government projects such as building fortifications.
Onjo the prince of 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 into the southwest part of the peninsula, and was at war against the Goguryeo commanderies and China's in the area. Baekje adopted Confucian ideas into its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and made the male-centered concept of filiopiety a tenet. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families. They were expected to be obeyed by everyone and respected even by their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 to 1392 CE gave the world the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth when it was pronounced. This greatly improved communication and led to a boom in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and the movable metal 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 has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form graves lined with stones, with precious goods such as amazonite jewellery being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures known as dolmens, built from huge single stones, are also prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first political state to be recognized in the first half of 1st millennium BCE. 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 the majority of historians do not believe to be a proper Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Baekje is the most powerful of these states, was diminished by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE) leaving only its southern territories in Manchuria and the its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo as well as the Gaya confederacy, flourished for a time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to collaborate to expand their territories. Silla with the help of the Chinese eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters a post-crisis phase its development model appears to be in flux. Those who are appalled by the huge cost of the old system are urging a thorough program of liberalization of capital, labor, and product markets. On the other hand supporters of the old system are seeking to preserve it by leveraging nationalist sentiments and generating fear over potential job losses.
Policy and academic analysts are in a tense debate about the extent to which these two developments are driving Koreas evolution towards an economic model that is radically different from the one of governance. This article examines developments to date by analyzing five phases of the country's political evolution including the illiberal democratic period (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and participatory democracy (2002 to the present). This article also identifies the key elements that are shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have had success in promoting their views to this group. A survey in 2009 revealed that almost three-quarters of respondents did not believe in the theory of evolution. Of those who voted, 41% said that there was not enough scientific evidence to support evolution; 39% said the theory did not align with their beliefs; and 17% said it was difficult to comprehend. This level of doubt is similar to that of the United States, where a similar percentage of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced forms of life.
In the past, the majority of the anti-evolution movements in Korea was focused on teaching college students and bringing them to Christ. An increase in the interest in creation science occurred in 1980, with the inauguration of a four-day seminar during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul that featured Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Giss of ICR were the keynote speakers. The event was attended by a large number of professors, church leaders, and scientists.
The success of the event resulted in the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31st of 1980. The inaugural meeting was widely reported in the national press, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo, and it was well-received by the public.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, which covered its activities and also published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated a number of slides and film strips from ICR and also a few books on creationism that were published outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures across the country in churches and universities.
One instance of one KACR success story took place at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were interested in creationism, they raised funds and received funding to build an enlightened museum on campus.
In addition to its work, KACR has published a bimonthly publication called CREATION. The magazine covers a variety of topics in the field of creation science. It also sponsored a series lectures by ICR staff. It has also established local branches that conduct seminars and present talks to schoolchildren and other community groups.
The evolution of South Korea
In the latter half of the 19th century and beginning of 20th, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced with miniskirts, and other foreign fashion elements. 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.
Korea's new development model is being created in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The main challenge for the new regime is to find a balance between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. It also requires changing incentives, monitoring, or disciplining systems that have been a part of the system prior the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 & 4.
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 areas, and migrants from northern China. In the early 4th century, Baekje was a major regional power, and expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. As a result, it was in frequent conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders along the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries led to the rise of powerful local factions. Gungye was a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital and held control over a portion of present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju. He became a rival to 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 incorporated Baekje into Goryeo peacefully as a successor. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized rule system. This marked the closing of the Three Kingdoms period. From that point, the Korean peninsula was under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla gradually grew into powerful states on the peninsula as well as in Manchuria.
