Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist tendencies. However, it's healthier than what one might expect.
The country is seeking an entirely new model of development. The Confucian culture, which stresses respect for ancestors and as and gender-specific family relationships, continues to be influential in the society. There are signs of a secularist cultural trend forming.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of the modern Koreans survived by hunting and gathering wild food. About 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock and produced furs. They created tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also created a metallurgy industry, producing bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other states and introduced Celadon, paper making, block printing art styles, and writing to Japan.
click the following article was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state adopted Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. During this time, the people of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical where the monarch and senior officials came from the aristocracy of the land, whereas the majority of the population were peasants. The state took taxes from these citizens, and sometimes forced them to serve in the army or to build fortifications.
At the end of the period, the state of Baekje was established by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and was the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. This new kingdom expanded into the southwest region of the peninsula, and clashed against Goguryeo's commanderies and China's in the region. Baekje accepted Confucian ideas into its state belief system in 1390 CE and made the male-centered concept of filiopiety a tenet. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were responsible to their families. They must be obeyed by everyone and admired by even their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, a country that ruled from 918 until 1392 CE in the year 1392 CE, introduced to the world the Hangul Alphabet, based on the shapes created by the mouth when it pronounces. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. 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' was first recorded in 1145 CE.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times to. Early evidence of human settlements can be seen in the form cist graves paved with stone, with valuable items like amazonite jewelry buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, built from massive single stones, are also widespread throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first political state to be recognized in 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. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians do not consider to be a valid Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Among them, Baekje was the most powerful however, its dynasty ended by 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 flourished for a short time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to work together 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 era, its development paradigm seems to be in flux. People who are shocked by the immense cost of the old system advocate the need for a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand, champions of the old system seek to preserve it by leveraging nationalist sentiments and exaggerating fears over potential job losses.
The academic and policy analysts remain sharply divided on the extent to these two trends are driving Koreas evolution towards an entirely new model of economic governance. This article analyzes the five phases of the Korean evolution in terms of its political development that include illiberal democracies (1945-60), democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877) democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). This article also highlights key factors that seem to influence these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have succeeded in promoting their views to this population. A 2009 survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those, 41% claimed that there was insufficient scientific evidence to support evolution 39% claimed that the theory was in contradiction to their religious beliefs; and 17% said it was difficult to understand. This level of disbelief approaches that in the United States, where a majority of people do not believe that humans evolved from earlier types of life.
In the past of the anti-evolutionist movement in Korea was focused on teaching college students and leading them to Christ. A significant rise in interest in creation science began in 1980, with a four-day seminar held during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul that included Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Giss of ICR were the featured speakers. The event attracted a large audience of professors, scientists, and church leaders.
The success of this event resulted in the creation of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st 1981. The meeting was covered extensively in the national press, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, in which it reported on its activities and published articles about scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR and also several books on creationism that were already in print outside of Korea. KACR members taught throughout the country in churches and universities.
One instance of an KACR success story was at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were so fascinated by creationism that they raised money and got support to build a small museum dedicated to creation on campus.
In addition to its work, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine called CREATION. This magazine covers topics that pertain to the science of creation. It also sponsored a series lectures by ICR staff. It has also established branches in local offices that offer talks and seminars to children and community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the latter half of the nineteenth century and the early 20th century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized style of life. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok was replaced by miniskirts, as well as other fashion elements from abroad. Similar to the way traditional Korean music styles were replaced by contemporary jazz and rock and roll. At this time, the famous samulnori, or masked dance dramas, were popular with the general public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the beat of shaman drums and other instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new paradigm of development. The primary challenge facing the new regime lies in the proper balance between the state-led economic policies and market-based ones. It also requires a change in the incentives and monitoring schemes that have been a part of the system before the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 & 4.
Baekje, founded by Onjo the prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was established by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo and other regions, as well as migrants from northern China. Baekje was 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 was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He ruled a portion of the present-day Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
However the rule of his was short-lived. After Gungye's defeat, he was overthrown by a powerful local leader, Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935. Later, Baekje was peacefully integrated into Goryeo as an heir state. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms, and strengthened the central government system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. From that point the Korean peninsula was ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually developed into powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.