에볼루션코리아 is susceptible to populist inclinations. However, it's healthier than what one might expect.
The country is in search of an innovative development paradigm. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for the ancestors as and gender-specific family relationships, continues to influence the society. There are indications of a secularist cultural trend emerging.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of modern Koreans lived by hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans, and other crops. They also raised livestock and created furs. These people formed tribal states one after another in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also established a metallurgy industry, producing bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other nations and introduced celadon and block printing to Japan, as well as styles of art, a written language, and papermaking.
Gojoseon was established 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 was a hierarchical society in which a monarch and top officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy while the majority of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens, and often required them to join the army or take part in 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 and the state of Baekje at the close of the period. The new kingdom grew into the southwest region of the peninsula, and was at war against Goguryeo's commanderies and China's in the area. Baekje adopted Confucian ideas in its state beliefs system in 1390 CE and made the male-centered concept of filiopiety a tenet. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were responsible to their families. They must be obeyed by all and respected by their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, a nation that was ruled from 918 to 1392 CE, gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based upon the patterns created by the mouth when it pronounces. This significantly improved the communication between people and led to an explosion in the writing of Buddhist texts. Additionally, 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.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The earliest evidence of human settlements are evident in the form of graves lined with stone, with precious items such as amazonite jewellery being buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, and made of large stones in a single piece, are prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon became the first political state to be recognized in the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. The peninsula was ruled by several states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC- 635 CE) including Baekje Goguryeo and Silla. The northern region of the peninsula was occupied for a period by the Balhae Kingdom that historians do believe to be a real Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Baekje, the most powerful of these states, was diminished by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE) and was left with only its southern territories in Manchuria, and the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo as well as the Gaya confederacy, flourished 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 a post-crisis era the way it develops appears to be changing. Those who are horrified by the costs of the old systems advocate a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital, labor and markets for products. On the other hand the people who support the old system attempt to keep it alive through nationalist sentiments and by stoking fears of job loss.
Analysts and academics are divided over the extent to which Korea's growth is influenced by these two trends. This article assesses developments to date by analyzing five phases of Korea's political development including the illiberal democratic period (1945-60), democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) and authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001), and democratic participation (2002 to present). This article also identifies the key factors that appear to be 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% believed there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory; 39% believed it was contrary to their religious beliefs; and 17% said they did not know what it meant. This level of doubt is similar to that in 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-evolution movement in Korea was primarily focused on educating students and the introduction of 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 Gish of ICR as the keynote speakers. This event attracted a large number of church leaders, and scientists.
The success of this event resulted in the creation of the Korea Association of Creation Research (KACR) on January 31 1981. The inauguration meeting was widely covered in national newspapers, such as The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and also was well-received by the public.
KACR began publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In it, the organization published its own activities and published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated several films and slides from ICR, as well as several books on creationism that were already in print outside of Korea. KACR members gave lectures at universities and churches throughout the country.
One instance of a KACR success story was at the KAIST university in Seoul. There, there were enough students interested in the idea of creationism that they raised enough money and support to construct a small museum on campus with 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 sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also organized a network of local branches, which hold seminars and give talks to schoolchildren and other community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late 19th century and the beginning of 20th, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts, as well as other fashion elements imported from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. In this period the famous samulnori or masked dance dramas, were popular with the public. These dramatic dances were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and various musical instruments.
Korea's new development paradigm is being formed in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The primary challenge for the new regime is to find an equilibrium between market-oriented and state-led economic policies. It also involves changing the incentives and monitoring strategies that have been a part of the system before the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 & 4.
Established by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by the people who lived along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other regions, as well as migrants from northern China. Baekje, one of the major regional powers in the 4th century expanded its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. Consequently, it came into frequent confrontation with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders across the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries resulted in the development of powerful local factions. Gungye was a noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. He also was in control of a portion of present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
His rule was however only for a short time. After his defeat, Gungye was replaced by a powerful local leader Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935. Later, Baekje was peacefully integrated into Goryeo as a successor state. In addition, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized government system. This was the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was later controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla gradually grew into powerful states on the peninsula, and in Manchuria.