Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is prone to populist impulses. It's still more stable than we had hoped for.
The country is looking for a new way of developing. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for the ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to be influential in the society. There are indications of a secularist cultural trend that is emerging.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of today's Koreans were capable of survival through hunting and gathering wild foods. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock and even made furs. They established tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also created an industry of metallurgy, which produced iron tools and bronze. They traded with other states and introduced Celadon paper making block printing art styles, and written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state embraced Chinese culture, including Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. At this time, the people of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical where the monarch and senior officials were members of the aristocracy of the land, whereas the rest of its population were peasants. The state extracted taxes from the citizens and sometimes required them to fight in the army or take part in projects for the government like building 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. The new kingdom grew its territory to the southwest of the peninsula and clashed with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje adopted 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 responsible for their families, and had to be obeyed and respected by everyone, even their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, a country that ruled from 918 until 1392 CE in the year 1392 CE, introduced to the world the Hangul Alphabet based upon the patterns created by the mouth when it pronounces. This dramatically improved communication between people, and resulted in an explosion of the writing of Buddhist texts. Woodblock printing and movable type were also improved. It was during this period that the Samguk sagi, or 'History Of the Three Kingdoms' was first recorded in 1145 CE.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been habitable since Neolithic times and early evidence of human settlements are visible in the form of graves lined with stones, with precious objects like amazonite jewellery being buried along with the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, made of massive single stones, are widespread throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first state to be recognized in the first half of 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was ruled by several states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC- 635 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 proper Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged in the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Among them, Baekje was the most powerful state however, its dynasty ended by the fall of Goguryeo in 676 CE leaving the southern provinces of Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy thrived for some time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to collaborate to expand their territories. In the end, Silla, with significant Chinese aid, conquered the other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea enters a post-crisis phase its development model appears to be changing. Those who are horrified by the enormous cost of the old systems are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of labor, capital and markets for products. On the other hand supporters of the old system want to preserve it by leveraging nationalist sentiments and generating fear about job losses.
Analysts and academics are divided over the extent to which Korea's evolution is influenced by these two trends. This article reviews the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political evolution: democratic illiberalism (1945-60), democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and participatory democracy (2002 to the present). This article also identifies some key factors that seem to be shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made strides in promoting their views to this group. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that almost one-third of respondents didn't believe in evolution. Of the respondents, 41% believed there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory; 39% claimed that it did not align with their religious beliefs. 17 percent said they didn't understand it. This level of disbelief is comparable to that of the United States, where a majority of people do not accept that humans evolved from less advanced species of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution movement in Korea focused primarily on teaching students and in bringing Christ to them. A significant rise in interest in creation science came in the year 1980, following the inauguration of a four-day seminar during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul which featured Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Giss of ICR were the main speakers. This event was attended by a large audience of scientists, professors 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 event was widely covered in the national press, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a newsletter titled CREATION. In 에볼루션바카라 , the organization reported on its own activities and published articles on scientific evidence for the existence of God. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR and also a few books on creationism that were in print outside of Korea. KACR members lectured throughout the country in churches and universities.
One example of one KACR success story took place at the KAIST university in Seoul. There, there were enough students interested in creationism that they raised the money and support to construct a small museum on campus featuring creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine, CREATION, that covers topics related to creation science, and it has hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also organized local branches that conduct seminars and provide talks to school children and other community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts and other style elements from abroad. In the same way, traditional Korean music styles were replaced with modern rock and roll and jazz. In the period of this transition, the famous samulnori or masked dancing-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drummers as well as other instruments of music.
Korea's new development paradigm is being created in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The primary challenge for the new regime is to strike the right balance between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. It also requires a change in the incentives and monitoring policies that shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are examined in Chapters 3 and 4.
Baekje was founded by Onjo Prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was established by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo and other areas and also by a migrant 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. It was therefore in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders 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 and Chungcheong. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival 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 incorporated peacefully into Goryeo as an heir state. 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 ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly grew into powerful states on the peninsula and in Manchuria.