Evolution Korea Isn't As Tough As You Think
Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is susceptible to populist impulses. It's still more stable than was expected.
The country is looking for a new way of developing. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for the ancestors and gendered family relationships continues to influence the way we live. There are indications of a secularist culture trend that is emerging.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of the modern Koreans lived on 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 made furs. These tribes formed tribal states in succession in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also established an industry for metalworking, which produced bronze tools, and later iron tools. They traded with other states and introduced celadon, paper making, block printing, art styles and a written language to Japan.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon came into existence in the southern region of the peninsula. The state adopted Chinese culture that included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. During this period the people of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical where the monarch and senior officials were from the aristocracy of the land, whereas the rest of its population were peasants. The state extracted taxes from these citizens, and often required them to serve in the army or work on projects for the government like building fortifications.
Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo, founded the state of Baekje towards the end of the time. The new kingdom expanded its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and fought with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the region. Baekje adopted Confucian ideas in its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and introduced the male-centric concept of filiopiety a doctrine. In the name of filiopiety, fathers were accountable to their families. They had to be obedient to everyone and respected even by their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, who would rule from 918 until 1392 CE gave the world the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to an increase in the writing of Buddhist text. Additionally, movable metal type printing was introduced, and woodblock printing was refined. 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 has been inhabited since Neolithic times and early evidence of human settlements is visible in the form of graves lined with stone, with precious objects like amazonite jewelry being buried with the dead. Megalithic structures known as dolmens, built from huge 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. The peninsula was then ruled by a number of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) including Baekje and Goguryeo. In addition, the northern region 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 arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, also known as the Several States Period. Of them, Baekje was the most powerful of them all but its dynasty dissolved with the fall of Goguryeo in 676 CE leaving Baekje with its southern territories 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 cooperate to expand their territories. In the final phase, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated all other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea enters a post-crisis era the way it develops appears to be changing. The people who are awed by the huge cost of the old systems advocate a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital, labor and markets for products. On the other hand, people who support the old system try to protect it by promoting nationalist sentiments and by inflating fears about potential job losses.
Analysts and academics are divided on the extent to which Korea's development is being driven by these two trends. This article assesses the latest developments by analyzing five phases of the country's political evolution including illiberal democracy (1945-60), democratic authoritarianism (1961-72), authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87), democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and democratic participation (2002 to present). This article also identifies key elements that are driving these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made significant progress in promoting their views to this group. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly one-third of respondents were against evolution. Of the respondents, 41% stated that there was not enough evidence from science to support the theory; 39% said the theory was in contradiction to their religious beliefs; and 17% said it was difficult to comprehend. The 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 species of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution campaign in Korea focused primarily on educating students and bringing Christ to them. 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 Gish of ICR as the keynote speakers. The event was attended by a large number of professors, church leaders, and scientists.
The event's success led to the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31, 1980. The inauguration meeting was widely covered in the national press, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and also was well-received by the public.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, in which it reported on its activities and published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. 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 gave lectures at universities and churches throughout the country.
A KACR success was witnessed at the KAIST University in Seoul. There, there were enough students interested in the idea of creationism that they raised the funds and support needed to build a small museum on campus featuring creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine called CREATION, which covers topics in creation science. It has also hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It also has a network of local branches that conduct seminars and provide talks to school children and other community groups.
The evolution of South Korea
In the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. 에볼루션 코리아 , the hanbok, was replaced by miniskirts, and other foreign fashion elements. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. In this time, the famous samulnori or dance-dramas with masks were extremely popular. These dramatic pieces were performed with the accompaniment of shaman drums and various types of musical instruments.
The economic crisis has shaped Korea's new paradigm of development. The main challenge for the new regime is the balance between the state-led economic policies and market-oriented ones. It also involves changing incentives, monitoring or disciplining schemes which have been a part of the system prior the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 and 4.
Founded by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by people living along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other areas, and migrants 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. This meant that it was constantly in 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 emerge. Gungye an eminent noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital and held control over a portion of present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
However the rule of his 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 rule system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. From then on the Korean peninsula was ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually grew to become powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.