Evolution Korea

South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist inclinations. However, it's healthier than one would expect.

The country is searching for an entirely new model of development. A Confucian culture that emphasizes respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relations continues influence society. There are indications of a secularist cultural trend emerging.

Origins


In the prehistoric era the ancestors of modern Koreans lived on hunting and gathering wild food. Then around 10,000 years ago, they began to grow crops including millet and beans. They also raised livestock, and also made 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 tools. 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. The state adopted Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. At this time, the people of Buyeo were incorporated into Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical state where the monarch and other senior officials were from the aristocracy of the land, whereas the rest of its population was peasants. The state imposed taxes on these citizens and often required them to fight in the army or take part in projects of the government, like building fortifications.

At the close of the period, the state of Baekje was founded by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. The new kingdom expanded its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and clashed with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the region. Baekje accepted Confucian ideas in its state beliefs system in 1390 CE, and established the male-centric notion of filiopiety a doctrine. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were responsible to their families. They had to be obeyed by all and respected even by their grandchildren and children.

Goryeo, who would rule from 918 until 1392 CE established the Hangul alphabet that was based on the shapes formed by the mouth when it was pronounced. This dramatically improved communication between people and resulted in an explosion of the writing of Buddhist texts. Woodblock printing and movable metal type were also refined. In 1145 CE the Samguk Sagi or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was the first to be recorded.

Evolution in Korea

The Korean peninsula has been habitable since Neolithic times. Early evidence for human settlements is visible in the form of graves lined with stones, with precious goods such as amazonite jewellery being buried along with the dead. Megalithic structures, known as dolmens, and made of single large stones, are widespread throughout the country.

In the first half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognized political state. The peninsula was later controlled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) including Baekje and Goguryeo. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians don't consider to be a proper Korean state.

After 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 diminished by the collapse of Goguryeo (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern territories in Manchuria, and its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a while.

The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to cooperate to expand their territories. Silla, with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.

As Korea enters a post-crisis phase, its development paradigm seems to be in flux. The people who are affronted by the enormous cost of the old system advocate the need for a comprehensive program of liberalization in capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand those who support the old system are seeking to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and inflating fears of job loss.

Policy and academic analysts are sharply divided on the extent to the extent that these two developments are driving Koreas evolution towards a new model of economic governance. This article focuses on the five phases of Korea's evolution in terms of its political development that include democratically illiberal democracies (1945-60), democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877), democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). This article also identifies important factors that appear to influence these processes.

Creationism in Korea

In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made progress in promoting their beliefs to this group. A 2009 survey showed that nearly a third of respondents were against evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% of respondents said it contradicted their religious beliefs. 17 percent said they did not comprehend 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 earlier types of life.

In the past, most of the anti-evolution movements in Korea was focused on educating college students and leading 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 Giss of ICR were the main speakers. This event was attended by an audience of professors, scientists, and church leaders.

The success of this event led to the establishment of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st 1981. 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 에볼루션 사이트 Links to an external site. , the group published its own activities and published articles about scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated a number of film strips and slides from ICR as well as a few books on the subject of creationism, which were published outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures at universities and churches throughout the country.

A KACR success was seen at KAIST University in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were keen on the concept of creationism that they raised funds and received support to build a small creationist museum on campus.

In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine, CREATION. This magazine covers topics in the creation science. It also sponsored a series lectures by ICR staff. It has also organized a network of local branches that conduct seminars and provide talks to children in schools and community groups.

The evolution of South Korea

In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt an increasingly Westernized lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts and other fashion elements from abroad. Similar to the way traditional Korean music styles were replaced with modern jazz and rock and roll. During this time the famous samulnori or masked dance-dramas, were popular with the public. 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 development paradigm. The primary challenge for the new regime is to find an equilibrium between market-oriented and state-led policies. It also involves rethinking the incentives monitoring and discipline schemes that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are addressed 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, a major regional power in the early 4th century extended its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. It was therefore in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies on the border.

The decline of Silla in the late 8th and early 9th centuries enabled powerful local factions to rise. Gungye was a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. It also was in control of a portion of the present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.

His rule was however 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 incorporated peacefully into Goryeo as an heir state. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized rule system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. From that point on, the Korean peninsula was controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla gradually grew into powerful states on the peninsula and in Manchuria.