Evolution Korea

South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist tendencies. It's still more stable than we had hoped for.

The country is searching for an innovative development paradigm. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for the ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to influence the society. But there are signs that a secular culture is beginning to emerge.

Origins

During prehistoric times the ancestors of modern Koreans lived on hunting and gathering wild food. 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 tools. They traded with other states and introduced celadon, paper making, block printing art styles, as well as written language to Japan.

In 2333 BCE Gojoseon came into existence in the southern part of the peninsula. The state adopted Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture including Confucian philosophy. In this time, the inhabitants of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure that included a monarch as well as top officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy whereas the majority of the population were peasants. The state collected taxes from these people and sometimes even forced them to serve in the army or construct fortifications.

Onjo the prince of Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong the founder of Goguryeo established the state of Baekje at the end of the period. The new kingdom grew its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and fought with Goguryeo and China's commandos in the region. Baekje took on Confucian ideas into its state belief system in 1390 CE, and established the male-centric notion of filiopiety a doctrine. Under the guise filiopiety, fathers were accountable to their families. They were expected to be obeyed by everyone and admired by even their grandchildren and children.

Goryeo, a nation that was ruled from 918 to 1392 CE in the year 1392 CE, introduced to the world the Hangul Alphabet, based on the shapes created by the mouth when pronouncing. This significantly improved the communication between people and resulted in an explosion of the writing of Buddhist texts. Additionally, movable metallic type printing was introduced and woodblock printing was improved. In 1145 CE the Samguk Sagi or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was the first to be recorded.

The evolution of Korea

The Korean peninsula has been habitable since Neolithic times. The earliest evidence of human settlements are evident in the form graves lined with stone, with precious objects such as amazonite jewellery being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens and built of large stones in a single piece, are common in the country.

Gojoseon was the first political state to be recognized during the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was later controlled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE), including Baekje and Goguryeo. The northern region of the peninsula was occupied for a time by the Balhae Kingdom, which historians do not consider to be a genuine Korean state.

After the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, 에볼루션 게이밍 무료체험 - see this page - or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Baekje is the most powerful of these states was diminished by the fall of Goguryeo (676 CE) leaving only its southern territories in Manchuria, and western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, thrived for a while.

The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged, and the three kingdoms began to work together to expand their territorial holdings. Silla, with the help of the Chinese eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.

As Korea is entering the post-crisis phase the development paradigm of the country appears to be in flux. People who are shocked by the enormous cost of the old systems are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of labor, capital and markets for products. On the other hand the people who support the old system attempt to protect it by promoting nationalist sentiments and by inflating fears about potential job losses.

Academics and analysts are divided on the extent to which Korea's evolution is influenced by these two trends. This article assesses the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political development: illiberal democracy (1945-60) democratic authoritarianism (1961-72), authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87), democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and participatory democracy (2002 to the present). This article also identifies the key elements that are the driving force behind these developments.

Creationism in Korea

In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have succeeded in promoting their views to this population. A survey conducted in 2009 found that nearly three-quarters of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of the respondents, 41% stated that there was insufficient 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 grasp. This level of disbelief is comparable to that of the United States, where a similar percentage of people are not convinced that humans evolved from earlier types of life.

In the past, the anti-evolutionist campaign in Korea focused primarily on teaching students and bringing Christ to them. In 1980 an all-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 impressive crowd of scientists, professors and church leaders.

The success of this event led to the founding of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31st, 1981. The event was extensively covered in the national media, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.

KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, 에볼루션 코리아 where it covered its activities and also published articles on the scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated a number of films and slides from ICR and also several books on creationism that were in print outside of Korea. KACR members delivered lectures in universities and churches across the country.

One instance of one KACR success story took place at the KAIST university in Seoul. There, students were so interested in the idea of creationism that they raised the money and support to construct a small museum on campus showing creationist models of fossils and other exhibits.

In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine, CREATION, that covers topics related to creation science. It has also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also created a network of local branch offices that offer talks and seminars to schoolchildren and community groups.

Evolution in South Korea

In the late nineteenth century and the early 20th century, Korea began to adopt an increasingly Westernized lifestyle. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts, as well as other fashion elements from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. At this time the famous samulnori or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the general public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and other instruments.

Korea's new model of development is being developed in the wake of the economic crisis. The primary challenge facing the new regime is the balance between state-led economic policies as well as market-based ones. It also requires changing incentives, monitoring, or disciplining systems that have shaped the system prior to the crisis. These issues are examined in Chapters 3 and 4.

Baekje was founded by Onjo the prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo, 에볼루션 룰렛 was founded by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo and other regions as well as migrant workers from northern China. Baekje, one of the major regional powers in the 4th century expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. It was therefore in constant conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders on the border.

The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries led to the rise of powerful local factions. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He ruled a portion of today's Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.

His rule was however only for a short time. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and united Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo peacefully as a successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the central government system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was then under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly grew into powerful states on the peninsula and in Manchuria.