Evolution Korea Isn't As Tough As You Think
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Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is vulnerable to populist inclinations. It is still healthier than we had hoped for.
The country is searching for an alternative development model. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for ancestors as and gender-specific family relationships, continues to influence the society. There are indications of a secularist culture trend that is emerging.
Origins
In the early days, the ancestors to modern Koreans were capable of surviving by hunting and gathering wild foods. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock, and also made furs. They established tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also developed an industry of metalworking, making bronze tools and later iron ones. They traded with other states and introduced cedon papermaking, block printing art styles, and written language to Japan.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon came into existence in the southern part of the peninsula. This state adopted Chinese culture that included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. During this time the people of Buyeo were part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure that included a monarch as well as top officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy while the rest of the population was peasants. The state extracted taxes from these citizens, and sometimes required them to serve in the army or work on projects of the government, like building fortifications.
By the end of the period, the state of Baekje was established by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. The new kingdom expanded to the southwest part of the peninsula, and was at war against Goguryeo's commanderies and China's in the area. Baekje adopted 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 for their families, and had to be obeyed and respected by all people, even their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, who ruled 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. Woodblock printing and movable type were also improved. In 1145 CE the Samguk Sagi or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was first recorded.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula was habitable from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form of cist graves paved with stone, with precious objects like amazonite jewelry that were buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, made of enormous single stones, are common throughout the country.
In the first half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognizable political state. The peninsula was later under the control of a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE), including Baekje and Goguryeo. The northern region of the peninsula was for a while occupied by the Balhae Kingdom which historians do not consider to be a genuine Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, also known as the Several States Period. Baekje, the most powerful of these states was weakened by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE) and was left with only its southern regions in Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy, flourished for a time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began 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 is entering a post-crisis period, its development paradigm seems to be in flux. People who are shocked by the enormous cost of the old system advocate a comprehensive program of liberalization of labor, capital and product markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system try to protect it by promoting nationalist sentiments and by stoking fears of job losses.
Analysts and academics are divided on the extent to which Korea's growth is being driven by these two trends. This article reviews developments to date by analyzing five phases of Korea's political evolution: democratic illiberalism (1945-60), democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) and authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001), and participatory democracy (2002 to the present). This article also identifies important factors that appear to be influencing these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made strides in promoting their beliefs to this segment. A survey from 2009 showed that nearly one-third of respondents were against evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory 39% claimed that it did not align with their religious beliefs, and 17 percent said they did not understand it. This level of doubt is similar to that of the United States, where a similar percentage of people are not convinced that humans evolved from earlier forms of life.
In the past, the anti-evolution movement in Korea focused primarily on teaching students and the introduction of Christ to them. An increase in the interest in creation science occurred in 1980, with the inauguration of a four-day seminar during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul which included Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Gish of ICR as the featured speakers. This event attracted a large number of pastors, professors, church leaders, and scientists.
The event's success led to the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31 in 1980. The event was extensively covered in the national press, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, where it published its activities and published articles on the scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR and also some books on creationism that were already published outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures across the country at universities and churches.
One example of one KACR success story took place at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were so fascinated by creationism that they raised money and got funding to construct a small creationist museum on campus.
In addition to its work, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine, CREATION. The magazine covers subjects that pertain to the science of creation. It 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.
Changes in South Korea
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early 20th century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized style of life. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts and other style elements from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. In this time the famous samulnori, also known as 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.
Korea's new development paradigm is being developed in the wake of the economic crisis. The primary challenge for the new regime is to find check here a balance between market-oriented and state-led economic policies. It also involves rethinking the incentives monitoring and discipline schemes that have been a part of the pre-crisis system. These issues are discussed 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 as well as migrant workers from northern China. Baekje was a major regional power in the 4th century extended its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. The kingdom was in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies on the border.
The decline of Silla in the late 8th and 9th centuries allowed strong local factions to emerge. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as its capital. He controlled a part of today's Jeolla province and Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju. He was a rival to Goguryeo.
However, his rule was short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo and acted as a peaceful successor. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central government system. This marked the closing of the Three Kingdoms period. The Korean peninsula was later ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually became powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.