Evolution Korea
The democratic system in South Korea is susceptible to populist impulses. However, it's healthier than might be expected.
The country is looking for a new way of developing. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for ancestors and gendered family relationships continues to influence the society. There are signs that a secular culture is gaining ground.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of the today's Koreans were able to survive by hunting and gathering wild food. In the tens of thousands of years after, they began to grow crops such as millet and beans. They also raised livestock, and even made furs. These people formed tribal states in succession in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also established a metallurgy industry, producing iron tools and bronze. They traded with other states and introduced celadon paper making block printing art styles, and a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. This state embraced Chinese culture that included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. At this time the people of Buyeo were incorporated into Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure with a monarch and high-ranking officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy, while the majority of the population were peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens and often required them to serve in the army or take part in projects of the government, like building fortifications.
Onjo Prince Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo and the state of Baekje at the close of the period. The new kingdom expanded to the southwest part of the peninsula, and fought with China's commandos and Goguryeo's in the area. Baekje accepted Confucian ideas in its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and made the male-centered concept of filiopiety a tenet. Under the guise of filiopiety fathers were accountable to their families and they must be respected and obeyed by everyone, even their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 until 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet based on the shapes made by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. In addition, movable metal type printing was introduced and woodblock printing was improved. In 1145 CE, the Samguk Sagi or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was recorded for the first time.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula has been habitable since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements are evident in the form stone-lined cist graves with precious objects like amazonite jewellery being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures known as dolmens, built from huge single stones, are also 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 ruled by various states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCfrom 635 CE) including Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla. Moreover, the northern region of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians do not believe to be a legitimate Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, also known as the Several States Period. In all of them, Baekje was the most powerful state but its dynasty dissolved by the fall of Goguryeo in 676 CE and left Baekje with its southern territories 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 cooperate to expand their territories. In the final, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated the other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea enters the post-crisis period the development paradigm of the country appears to be changing. The people who are affronted by the huge cost of the old system advocate an extensive program of liberalization of capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand the people who support the old system seek to keep it alive through nationalist sentiments, as well as by inflating fears about potential job loss.
Analysts and academics are divided about the extent to which Korea's growth is being driven by these two trends. This article reviews the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political development including the illiberal democratic period (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72), authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and participatory democracy (2002 to present). This article also highlights significant factors that may be shaping these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made strides in promoting their beliefs to this group. A 2009 survey revealed that almost one third of respondents do not believe in the theory of evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% believed it was contrary to their religious beliefs. 17 percent said they did not comprehend it. This level of disbelief approaches that of the United States, where a similar number of people are not convinced that humans evolved from less advanced types of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution campaign in Korea was focused on educating students and in 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. This event attracted a large number of pastors, professors, church leaders and scientists.
The success of the event led to the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31, 1980. The inauguration event was widely reported in the national press, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and was well-received by the public.
KACR started publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In CREATION, the organization published its own activities and published articles on the scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR, as well as some books on the subject that were in print outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures across the nation in universities and churches.
A KACR success was witnessed at the KAIST University in Seoul. There, there were enough students interested in creationism that they raised enough money and support needed to build a small museum on campus with creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine, CREATION, which covers topics in creation science. It has also sponsored a series of talks by ICR staff. It also has an organization of local branch offices that host talks and seminars to schoolchildren and other community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the latter half of the nineteenth century and the early 20th century, Korea began to adopt an increasingly Westernized lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced with miniskirts, and other fashion elements from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. At this time the samulnori, or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the general public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and various types of musical instruments.
Korea's new model of development is being created in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The biggest challenge facing the new regime is to find an equilibrium between state-led and market-oriented economic policies. It also involves changing incentives, monitoring or discipline schemes that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. 에볼루션 게이밍 are discussed in Chapters 3 & 4.
Baekje, founded by Onjo Prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was founded by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo and other regions and also by a migrant from northern China. In the early 4th century, Baekje was a major regional power, and expanded its territory as far as 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 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 controlled a part of the present-day Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
His rule was however short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla and later joined Baekje into Goryeo and acted as a peaceful successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms, and strengthened the centrally-run 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 became powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.