Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is vulnerable to populist tendencies. However, it is more stable than might be expected.
The country is seeking an entirely new model of development. A Confucian culture that emphasizes respect for ancestors and gendered family relations continues to influence the way we live. But there are signs that a secular culture is beginning to emerge.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of the today's Koreans were able to survive by hunting and gathering wild foods. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to grow crops including millet and beans. They also raised livestock and made furs. These people formed tribal states in succession in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also developed a metallurgy business, making bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other states and introduced Celadon papermaking block printing art styles, and writing to Japan.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was founded 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 hierarchical state with the monarch and top officials were from the aristocracy of the land, while the majority of the population were peasants. The state took taxes from these citizens and sometimes even required them to join 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. This new kingdom expanded into the southwest part of the peninsula, and clashed with China's commandos and Goguryeo's in the region. Baekje took on Confucian ideas in its state beliefs system in 1390 CE, and made the male-centered concept of filiopiety a tenet. Under the guise of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families and had to be revered and obeyed by all, including their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, a nation which ruled from 918 until 1392 CE, gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based upon the shapes created by the mouth when pronouncing. This greatly improved communication and led to a boom in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and the movable metal type were also refined. It was during this time that the Samguk sagi, also known as 'History of the Three Kingdoms' was first written in 1145 CE.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula was habitable from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements can be seen in the form cist graves that were lined with stone, with valuable items like amazonite jewelry buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, known as dolmens and built of large stones in a single piece, are prevalent throughout the country.
In the first second half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognisable political state. After that, the peninsula was ruled by a variety of states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCbetween 635 and 57 BC CE) including Baekje Goguryeo and Silla. In addition, the northern region of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians do not believe to be a legitimate Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states arose in the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). In all of them, Baekje was the most powerful state, but its dynasty ended when Goguryeo was defeated in 676 CE leaving the southern provinces of Manchuria and the western region surrounding the Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy flourished for a short time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to collaborate to expand their territories. Silla with the help of the Chinese eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters the post-crisis period, its development paradigm appears to be in flux. The people who are awed by the enormous cost of the old systems advocate a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital, labor and product markets. On the other hand supporters of the old system seek to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and exaggerating fears over potential job losses.
Academic and policy analysts remain sharply divided on the extent to these two trends are driving Koreas shift towards a new model of economic governance. This article assesses developments to date by analyzing five phases of the country's political evolution including illiberal democracy (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001), and participatory democracy (2002 to present). This article also identifies important factors that appear to influence these processes.
에볼루션코리아 in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made significant progress in promoting their views to this group. A survey in 2009 revealed that almost a third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of the respondents, 41% believed there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% of respondents said it contradicted their religious beliefs, and 17% said they did not understand it. This level of doubt is comparable to that of the United States where a similar percentage of people do not believe that 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 featured speakers. This event attracted a huge number of professors, church leaders and scientists.
The success of the event led to the creation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31st of 1980. The event was extensively covered in national newspapers including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In it, the group presented its own work and published articles on the scientific evidence for the existence of God. It also translated a number of films and slides from ICR, as well as several books on creationism that were in print outside of Korea. KACR members also gave talks in universities and churches across the country.
A KACR success was observed at the KAIST University in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were fascinated by creationism that they raised money and got funding to build a small creationist museum on campus.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine, CREATION. The magazine covers subjects in the field of creation science. It also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It also has a network of local branch offices that give talks and seminars to schoolchildren and other community groups.
The evolution of South Korea
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early 20th century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts, as well as other fashion elements from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. At this time the famous samulnori or masked dance-dramas, were loved by the public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and various types of musical instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new paradigm of development. The biggest challenge facing the new regime is to strike the right balance between market-oriented and state-led policies. It also involves altering incentives, monitoring, or discipline schemes that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 and 4.
Baekje was founded by Onjo, prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was founded by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo, and other areas as well as migrant workers from northern China. Baekje was one of the major regional powers in the early 4th Century expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. Consequently, it came into frequent confrontation with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies along the border.
The fall of Silla in the late 8th and early 9th centuries enabled powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as its capital. He controlled a part of the present-day 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. After his defeat, Gungye was replaced by an influential local leader, Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935. Later, Baekje was peacefully integrated into Goryeo as an alternative state. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central ruling system. This marked the conclusion of the Three Kingdoms period. The Korean peninsula was later under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually grew to become powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.