Evolution Korea
The democratic system in South Korea is prone to populist tendencies. However, it's healthier than what one might expect.
The country is searching for an innovative development paradigm. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for ancestors and gendered family relations continues influence society. There are indications of a secularist culture trend emerging.
Origins
In prehistoric times, the ancestors of modern Koreans survived by hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock and created furs. They formed tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also developed a metallurgy industry, producing bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other countries and introduced block and celadon printing to Japan along with art styles, a written language, and paper making.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon came into existence on the southern part of the peninsula. The state adopted Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. At this time, the people of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical society in which a monarch and senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy, while the majority of the population was peasants. talks about it took taxes from these citizens, and sometimes forced them to serve in the army or build fortifications.
Onjo the prince of Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo and the state of Baekje at the close of the period. The new kingdom grew its territory to the southwest of the peninsula and fought with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje accepted Confucian ideas into its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and made the male-centered concept of filiopiety a doctrine. In the name of filiopiety, fathers were accountable to their families. They had to be obeyed by all and admired by even their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 until 1392 CE established the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth when it was pronounced. This dramatically improved the communication between people and resulted in an explosion of the writing of Buddhist texts. Woodblock printing and the movable metal type were also refined. In 1145 CE, the Samguk Sagi, or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was the first to be recorded.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements is visible in the form of stone-lined cist graves with precious goods like amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, built from massive single stones, are also prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first state to be recognized during the first half of 1st millennium BCE. After that the peninsula was ruled by various states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCbetween 635 and 57 BC CE) including Baekje Goguryeo and Silla. The northern region of the peninsula was for a while occupied by the Balhae Kingdom, which historians do not believe to be a real Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states arose in the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Baekje, the most powerful of these states, was diminished by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern regions in Manchuria and the its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo as well as the Gaya confederacy, thrived for a short period of time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to work together in order to expand their territory. In the final phase, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated all other states and united the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea enters the post-crisis period the development paradigm of the country is in flux. People who are shocked by the immense cost of the old system advocate a thorough program of liberalization in capital, labor, and product markets. On the other hand supporters of the old system seek to preserve it by leveraging nationalist sentiments and inflating fears about job losses.
Analysts and academics are divided about the extent to which Korea's development is influenced by these two trends. This article focuses on the five phases of Korea's evolution in terms of its political development: democratic democracies that are not liberal (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877) democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and participatory democracy (2002). This article also identifies some important factors that appear to be shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. The creationists have been successful in promoting their views to this group. A survey from 2009 showed that nearly a third 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. 17 percent said they didn't understand it. This level of disbelief approaches that of the United States, where a majority of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced species of life.
In the past, most of the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on teaching college students and bringing them to Christ. A significant increase in the interest in creation science occurred in the year 1980, when there was an all-day seminar that was held during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul which 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 this event led to the establishment of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31 1981. The inaugural meeting was widely reported in the national press, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo, and it attracted a lot of attention.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, in which it reported on its activities and published articles on the scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated film strips and slides from ICR as well as some books on creationism which were published outside of Korea. KACR members lectured throughout the nation in universities and churches.
A KACR success was witnessed at KAIST University in Seoul. There, there were enough students fascinated by the concept of creationism that they raised the funds and support to put up a small museum on campus featuring creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
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 organized local branches that conduct seminars and give talks to children in schools and other community groups.
Changes in 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 by miniskirts, as well as other fashion elements from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. During this period the famous samulnori, also known as dance-dramas with masks were extremely popular. These dramatic dances were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and various musical instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new model of development. The primary challenge facing the new regime is the balance between state-led economic policies and market-oriented ones. It also involves rethinking the incentives, monitoring, and disciplining schemes that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are discussed 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 immigrants from northern China. Baekje was an important regional power in the early 4th century expanded its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. It was therefore in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders at the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries resulted in the development of powerful local factions. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as its capital. He ruled a portion of the present-day Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
The rule of his was, however, short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and unified Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla and later joined Baekje into Goryeo peacefully as a successor. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central government system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms period. The Korean peninsula was then controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly grew into powerful states on the peninsula, and in Manchuria.