Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is vulnerable to populist impulses. Nonetheless, it is healthier than what one might expect.
The country is looking for an alternative development model. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for ancestors as and gender-specific family relationships, continues to influence the society. There are signs that a secular culture is gaining ground.
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 produced furs. They also established tribal states one after the other in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also developed an industry of metallurgy, which produced bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other states and introduced cedon, paper making, block printing art styles, and writing to Japan.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state adopted Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. During this period the people of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical state where the monarch and other senior officials were members of the land aristocracy, while the rest of the population were peasants. The state took taxes from these citizens and sometimes even forced them to serve in the army or to build fortifications.
By the end of the period the state of Baekje was founded by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and was the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. This new kingdom expanded its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and fought with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the region. Baekje incorporated aspects of Confucian thought into its state beliefs and made the male centered filiopiety idea an official doctrine in 1390 CE. In the name of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families, and had to be obeyed and respected by all people, even their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, which would rule from 918 until 1392 CE gave the world the Hangul alphabet that was based on the shapes formed by the mouth when it was pronounced. This significantly improved the communication between people and led to an explosion in the writing of Buddhist texts. In addition, movable metal type printing was introduced and woodblock printing was improved. It was at this time that the Samguk sagi, or 'History Of the Three Kingdoms' was first written in 1145 CE.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times until. Early evidence of human settlements can be found in the form of cist graves that were lined with stone, with precious items such as amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, built from huge single stones, are also widespread throughout the country.
In the first second half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognisable political state. The peninsula was ruled by various states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCfrom 635 CE) including Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla. The northern portion of the peninsula was for a while occupied by the Balhae Kingdom that historians do believe to be a real Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, also known as the Several States Period. Baekje is the most powerful of these states, was weakened by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern regions in Manchuria, and western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, thrived for a short period of time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to cooperate to expand their territory. Silla, with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters the post-crisis era the development paradigm of the country is in flux. The people who are affronted by the enormous cost of the old system advocate an extensive program of liberalization in capital, labor, and product markets. On 에볼루션 게이밍 , champions of the old system seek to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and inflating fears of job loss.
Analysts and academics are divided about the extent to which Korea's evolution is influenced by these two trends. This article reviews the latest developments by analyzing five phases of the country's political evolution that include illiberal democracy (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) and authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001), and participatory democracy (2002 to present). This article also identifies the key elements that are the driving force behind these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. The creationists have been successful in promoting their beliefs to this population. A 2009 survey showed that almost one-third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those, 41% said there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% said it contradicted their religious beliefs; and 17% said they did not understand it. 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 movement in Korea was focused on teaching college students and bringing them to Christ. 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 was attended by a large audience of professors, scientists, and church leaders.
The success of this event led to the creation of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31 1981. The inauguration event was widely reported in national newspapers, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and also attracted a lot of attention.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, in which it reported on its activities and also published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR and several books on creationism that were published outside of Korea. KACR members delivered lectures at universities and churches throughout the country.
One instance of one KACR success story occurred at the KAIST university in Seoul. There, enough students were fascinated by the concept of creationism that they raised the funds and support to put up an on-campus museum showing creationist models of fossils and other exhibits.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine called CREATION, which covers topics in creation science. It also hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also organized local branches, which hold seminars and provide talks to school children and other community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok was replaced by miniskirts, and other fashion elements from abroad. Similarly, traditional Korean music styles were replaced by contemporary jazz and rock and roll. During this period, the famous samulnori or masked dancing-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums as well as different musical instruments.
Korea's new development model is being developed in the wake of the economic crisis. The main challenge for the new regime is to find the right balance between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. It also involves changing the incentives and monitoring strategies that have created the system prior to the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 & 4.
The Baekje was founded by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by the people who lived along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other regions, as well as immigrants from northern China. In the early 4th century, Baekje was a major regional power and expanded its territory as far as Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. It was therefore in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders at the border.
The decline of Silla in the 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 the capital. He controlled a part of the present-day Jeolla province and Chungcheong. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
However, his rule was short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo peacefully as a successor. In addition, 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 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.