Evolution Korea: What s No One Is Talking About

Evolution Korea

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

The country is in search of a new development paradigm. The Confucian culture, which stresses respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relationships, continues to be influential in the society. There are indications of a secularist cultural trend forming.

Origins

In prehistoric times the ancestors of modern Koreans survived by 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 people formed tribal states one after the other in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also created a metalworking industry, producing bronze tools and later iron tools. They also traded with other countries and introduced celadon and block printing to Japan along with art styles and a written language and papermaking.

Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. During this time the people of Buyeo were part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state that was hierarchical where the monarch and senior officials were from the land aristocracy, while the rest of the population were peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens and sometimes even required them to join the army or to build fortifications.

At the end of the period the state of Baekje was founded by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. The new kingdom grew its territory into the southwest of the peninsula and clashed with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje took on 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 were expected to be obeyed by everyone and admired by even their children and grandchildren.

Goryeo, a country that ruled from 918 until 1392 CE in the year 1392 CE, introduced to the world the Hangul Alphabet, based on the patterns created by the mouth while pronouncing. This greatly improved communication and led to an increase in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and movable metal type were also refined. It was at this time that the Samguk sagi, also known as 'History of the Three Kingdoms' first appeared in 1145 CE.

Evolution in Korea

The Korean peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times and early evidence for human settlements is 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, constructed from enormous single stones, are widespread throughout the country.

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

After the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states arose in the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, 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 its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a time.

The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to work together to expand their territories. Silla with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.

As Korea enters the post-crisis period the development paradigm of the country appears to be in flux. Those who are appalled by the immense cost of the old system would prefer the need for a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital as well as labor markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system are seeking to preserve it by leveraging nationalist sentiments and inflating fears over potential job losses.

Academic and policy analysts remain starkly divided as to the extent to which these two trends are driving Koreas shift towards an economic model that is radically different from the one of governance. This article examines the five phases of Korea's development in terms of its political development that include illiberal democracies (1945-60), democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877), democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and participatory democracy (2002). This article also identifies the key elements that are shaping these processes.

Creationism in Korea

In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have made significant progress in promoting their beliefs to this segment. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that almost one-third of respondents didn't believe in evolution. Of those, 41% claimed that there wasn't enough scientific evidence to support evolution 39% claimed that the theory contradicted their religion; and 17% said it was difficult to understand. 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 lesser advanced species of life.

In the past, most of the anti-evolution movements in Korea was focused on educating college students and leading them to Christ. In 1980 an all-day creation science seminar was held in Seoul during the World Evangelization Crusade. Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Gish of ICR as the featured speakers. This event was attended by an audience of professors, scientists, and 에볼루션 코리아 church leaders.

The success of this event led to the establishment of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31 1981. The inauguration event was widely reported in the national press, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and received wide attention.

KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter, CREATION, where it reported on its activities and also published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated film strips and slides from ICR as well as some books on creationism that were already published outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures in churches and universities throughout the country.

A KACR success was witnessed at KAIST University in Seoul. There, there were enough students interested in creationism that they raised the money and support needed to build an on-campus museum showing creationist models of fossils and other exhibits.

In addition to its work, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine, CREATION. This magazine covers topics in the creation science. It also sponsored a series lectures by ICR staff. It has also established branches in local offices that offer talks and seminars to children and community groups.

Changes in South Korea

In the latter part of the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced with miniskirts, and other foreign fashion elements. Similarly, traditional Korean music styles were replaced with modern jazz and rock and roll. In this time, the famous samulnori or masked dancing-dramas were very popular. These dramatic dances were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums as well as various musical instruments.

Korea's new model of development is being formed in the wake of the economic crisis. The main challenge for the new regime is to find the right balance between state-led economic policies and market-based ones. It also requires changing incentives, monitoring or disciplining systems that have been a part of the system prior the crisis. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 & 4.

Baekje was founded by Onjo Prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was founded by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo, and other areas and also by a migrant from northern China. In the 4th century, in the early part of, Baekje was a major regional power, and expanded its territory as far as Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. The kingdom was in constant conflict with Goguryeo, and the Chinese commanderies on the border.

The fall of Silla in the late 8th and 9th centuries allowed powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye an eminent noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. It also held control over a portion of present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju. He became a rival to Goguryeo.

His rule was however only for a short time. After Gungye was defeated by an influential local leader, Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935. Later, Baekje was peacefully incorporated into Goryeo as an heir state. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms, and strengthened the centrally-run system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was then controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, 에볼루션 사이트에볼루션 코리아 (Suggested Looking at) Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually developed into powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.