Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is vulnerable to populist impulses. Nonetheless, it is healthier than what one might expect.
The country is searching for an alternative development model. A Confucian culture that emphasizes respect for ancestors and gendered family relationships continues to influence the way we live. But there are signs that a secularist culture is emerging.
Origins
In the prehistoric era the ancestors of modern Koreans survived by hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate millet and beans as well as other crops. They also raised livestock and produced furs. They formed tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also developed an industry of metalworking, making bronze tools, and later iron ones. They traded with other states and introduced celadon papermaking, block printing art styles, and a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. This state embraced Chinese culture that included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. At this time the inhabitants of Buyeo were incorporated into Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical where the monarch and other senior officials came from the aristocracy of the land, whereas the majority of the population were peasants. The state collected taxes from the citizens and sometimes required them to join the army or participate in government projects such as building fortifications.
At the close of this 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 was at war with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the region. Baekje incorporated aspects of Confucian beliefs into its official beliefs and made the male-centric concept of filiopiety 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, including their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who would rule from 918 until 1392 CE gave the world the Hangul alphabet based on the shapes made by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to an increase in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and movable type were also refined. In 1145 CE, the Samguk Sagi or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was recorded for the first time.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements can be found in the form of graves that were lined with stones, and adorned with precious objects like amazonite jewelry buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, made of massive single stones, are also prevalent throughout the country.
In the first second half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognizable political state. The peninsula was ruled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCbetween 635 and 57 BC CE) including Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which many historians don't consider to be a valid Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Baekje is the most powerful of these states was weakened by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE) and was left with only its southern regions in Manchuria, and western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo as well as the Gaya confederacy, flourished for a short period of time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to collaborate in order to expand their territorial holdings. Silla, with the help of the Chinese eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.
As Korea is entering a post-crisis period, its development paradigm seems to be changing. The people who are awed by the huge cost of the old system are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of labor, capital and product markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system attempt to preserve it through nationalist sentiments, and by inflating fears about potential job losses.
The academic and policy analysts remain sharply divided on the extent to these two developments are driving Koreas evolution towards an economic model that is radically different from the one of governance. This article analyzes the five phases of the Korean evolution in terms of its political development including 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 the key factors that appear to be driving these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have had success in promoting their views among this population. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly a third of respondents didn't believe in evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated that there was insufficient scientific evidence to support the theory 39% of respondents said it contradicted their religious beliefs, and 17 percent said they did not know what it meant. This level of disbelief approaches that in the United States, where a similar number of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced species of life.
In the past, the majority of the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on educating 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 Gish of ICR as the keynote speakers. This event attracted a huge number of professors, church leaders and scientists.
The success of this event resulted in the founding of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st, 1981. The event was widely covered in the national media, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In it, the group reported on its own activities and published articles on the scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated several film strips and slides from ICR and also some books on the subject of creationism, which were already published outside of Korea. KACR members delivered lectures in universities and churches across the country.
One instance of a KACR success story occurred at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were interested in creationism, they raised money and secured funding to construct a small creationist museum on campus.
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 also has a network of local branches that hold seminars and give talks to children in schools and community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the latter half of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt an increasingly Westernized lifestyle. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts and other fashion elements imported from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. In this time, the famous samulnori or masked dancing-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed with the accompaniment of shaman drums as well as different musical instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new model of development. The main challenge for the new regime is to find an equilibrium between market-oriented and state-led economic policies. It also requires changing incentives, monitoring or discipline schemes that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 and 4.
Established 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. Baekje, an important regional power in the early 4th century extended its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. As Read More Listed here , it was in frequent battle with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders along the border.
The fall of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries allowed powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye, a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. It also held control over a portion of the present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju. He was an adversary to Goguryeo.
However the rule of his was short-lived. After Gungye was defeated by an influential local leader, Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935. Later, Baekje was incorporated peacefully into Goryeo as an alternative state. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central ruling system. This marked the closing of the Three Kingdoms period. The Korean peninsula was then under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually grew to become powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.