Evolution Korea

South Korea's democratic system is vulnerable to populist tendencies. It is still healthier than was expected.

The country is seeking a new paradigm of development. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for the ancestors and gendered family relations continues to influence the way we live. There are signs of a secularist cultural trend emerging.

Origins

During prehistoric times the ancestors of the modern Koreans survived by hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate crops such as millet and beans. They also raised livestock and even made furs. They created tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also established a metallurgy industry, producing bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other states and introduced celadon, paper making block printing art styles, as well as a written language to Japan.

In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was founded in the southern part of the peninsula. This state adopted Chinese culture that included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. In this time, the inhabitants of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state of hierarchy where the monarch and other senior officials came from the land aristocracy, while the majority of the population were peasants. The state took taxes from these citizens, and sometimes required them to join the army or build fortifications.

Onjo Prince Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo established the state of Baekje at the close of the time. The new kingdom grew its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and fought with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the region. Baekje took on Confucian ideas into its state beliefs system in 1390 CE, and introduced the male-centric concept of filiopiety a doctrine. In the name of filiopiety, fathers were responsible to their families. They had to be obeyed by all and admired by even their grandchildren and children.

Goryeo, who would rule from 918 until 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth during pronunciation. This dramatically improved the communication between people and led to an explosion in the writing of Buddhist texts. Additionally, movable metal type printing was introduced, and woodblock printing was improved. It was during this period that the Samguk sagi, or 'History Of the Three Kingdoms' was first written in 1145 CE.

The evolution of Korea

The Korean peninsula was habitable from Neolithic times until. Early evidence of human settlements can be seen in the form of cist graves lined with stone, and decorated with precious objects like amazonite jewelry that were buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, made of enormous single stones, are widespread throughout the country.

Gojoseon became the first political state to be recognized during the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. After that, the peninsula was ruled by various states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCfrom 635 CE) including Baekje Goguryeo and Silla. In addition, the northern region of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which many historians don't consider to be a legitimate Korean state.

Following the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). In all of them, Baekje was the most powerful but its dynasty dissolved when Goguryeo was defeated in 676 CE and left the southern provinces of Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy prospered for a period of time.

The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to cooperate to expand their territories. In the final, Silla, with significant Chinese aid, conquered all other states and united the peninsula in 935 CE.

As Korea is entering a post-crisis period its development model appears to be changing. 에볼루션 코리아 who are awed by the cost of the old system advocate a comprehensive program of liberalization of labor, capital and markets for products. On the other hand, supporters of the old system seek to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and generating fear of job loss.

Academics and analysts are divided on the extent to which Korea's development is being driven by these two trends. This article examines developments to date by analyzing five phases of the country's political evolution that include democratic illiberalism (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87), democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and democratic participation (2002 to the present). This article also identifies the key factors that appear to be the driving force behind these developments.

Creationism in Korea

In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have had success in promoting their views to this group. A 2009 survey revealed that nearly one third of respondents do not believe in the theory of evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated that there was no scientific evidence to support the theory; 39% claimed that it did not align with their religious beliefs, and 17% said they did not understand it. This level of disbelief approaches that of the United States, where a similar number of people do not accept that humans evolved from less advanced species of life.

In the past, the anti-evolutionist campaign in Korea was focused on the education of students and in bringing Christ to them. 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 featured speakers. This event drew 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 widely covered in the national media, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.

KACR started publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In it, the group published its own activities and published articles on scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several films and slides from ICR and also a few books on creationism that were already in print outside of Korea. KACR members also gave talks at universities and churches throughout the country.


One example of one KACR success story occurred at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were fascinated by creationism that 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, and it has hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It also has a network of local branches, which hold seminars and give talks to school children and other community groups.

Changes in South Korea

In the latter half of the 19th century and the beginning of 20th, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced by miniskirts, as well as other foreign fashion elements. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. During this period the samulnori, or the masked dance-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the beat of shaman drummers as well as other instruments of music.

The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new development paradigm. The primary challenge for the new regime is to find an equilibrium between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. It also requires changing incentives, monitoring or disciplining systems that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are discussed 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 areas and also by a migrant from northern China. In the early 4th century, Baekje was a major regional power and expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. The kingdom was in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders on the border.

The decline of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries enabled powerful local factions to rise. Gungye, a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital and 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 to Goguryeo.

However his rule was not long-lasting. 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 alternative state. Additionally, 에볼루션코리아 introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized ruling system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was then controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually developed into powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.