Evolution Korea: What No One Is Talking About
Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist inclinations. It's still better than we had hoped for.
The country is searching for an entirely new model of development. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relations continues to influence the way we live. There are signs of a secularist cultural trend forming.
Origins
In prehistoric times, the ancestors to modern Koreans were capable of survival through hunting and gathering wild food. Then around 10,000 years ago, they began to grow crops such as millet and beans. They also raised livestock and created furs. They created tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also established a metallurgy business, making bronze and later iron tools. They also traded with other countries and introduced celadon and block printing to Japan along with styles of art, a written language, and paper making.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was founded on the southern part of the peninsula. The state adopted Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture including Confucian philosophy. At this time, the people of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical society in which a monarch and senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy, while the majority of the population were peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens, and sometimes required them to join the army or to build fortifications.
Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong the founder of Goguryeo and the state of Baekje towards the end of the period. This new kingdom expanded its territory into the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje introduced elements of Confucian beliefs into its official beliefs and made the male-centric filiopiety idea an official doctrine in 1390 CE. In the name of filiopiety, fathers were accountable to their families. They must be obeyed by everyone and respected even by their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, a country which ruled from 918 until 1392 CE and gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based upon the shapes that were created by the mouth while pronouncing. This significantly improved the communication between people and led to an explosion in the writing of Buddhist texts. Additionally, original site was introduced and woodblock printing was refined. In 1145 CE the Samguk Sagi, or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was first recorded.
weblink of Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements can be seen in the form cist graves lined with stone, with precious items such as amazonite jewelry that were buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, known as dolmens and constructed of large stones in a single piece, are prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first state to be recognized during the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. After that, the peninsula was ruled by various states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC- 635 CE) including Baekje Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. The northern portion of the peninsula was for a while occupied by the Balhae Kingdom, which historians do not believe to be a true Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged in the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Baekje, the most powerful of these states was weakened by the collapse of Goguryeo (676 CE) leaving only its southern regions in Manchuria, and its western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo as well as the Gaya confederacy, thrived for a short period of time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began 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 phase the way it develops appears to be changing. People who are shocked by the immense cost of the old system advocate an extensive program of liberalization in capital as well as labor and product markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system seek to protect it by using nationalist sentiments and generating fear of job loss.
Analysts and academics are divided over the extent to which Korea's growth is influenced by these two trends. This article analyzes the five phases of Korea's evolution in terms of its political development including democratic democracies that are not liberal (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877) democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). This article also identifies the key factors that appear to be the driving force behind these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have succeeded in promoting their views among 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% said that there wasn't enough evidence from science to support the theory 39% of respondents said that the theory did not align with their beliefs and 17% claimed it was difficult to comprehend. This level of disbelief is comparable to that of the United States, where a similar percentage of people do not accept that humans evolved from earlier types of life.
In the past, the anti-evolutionist campaign in Korea was focused on teaching students and in bringing Christ to them. In 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 featured speakers. This event was attended by a large audience of scientists, professors and church leaders.
The success of the event led to the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31 in 1980. The meeting was covered extensively in the national press, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, where it reported on its activities and published articles about scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated a number of film strips and slides from ICR and also some books on creationism which were already published outside of Korea. KACR members lectured throughout the nation in universities and churches.
A KACR success was observed at the KAIST University in Seoul. There, enough students were interested in creationism that they raised the funds and support to construct an on-campus museum with creationist fossil models and other exhibits.
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 local branches that conduct seminars and give talks to children in schools and other community groups.
Changes in South Korea
In the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. 에볼루션 게이밍 , or Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts and other fashion elements from overseas. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by jazz and rock & roll. During this time the samulnori, or masked dance-dramas, were popular with the general public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drummers and other instruments.
Korea's new development model is being developed in the wake of the economic crisis. The main challenge for the new regime lies in the proper balance between the state-led economic policies and market-based ones. It also requires a change in the incentives and monitoring policies that created the system prior to the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 and 4.
The Baekje was founded by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established jointly by people living along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other areas, and people from northern China. Baekje was one of the major regional powers in the 4th century expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. Consequently, it came into frequent conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies across the border.
The decline of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries enabled powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye an eminent noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital. It also was in control of a portion of the present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
However the rule of his was short-lived. After Gungye was defeated by a powerful local leader, Wang Geon, who united Goryeo with Baekje and Silla in 935, Later Baekje was incorporated peacefully into Goryeo as an heir state. 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 later under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually grew to become powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.