South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist inclinations. It is still healthier than we had hoped for.
The country is seeking an entirely new model of development. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for the ancestors and gendered family relations continues influence the way we live. There are signs that a secularist culture is emerging.
Origins
In the prehistoric era the ancestors of modern Koreans were capable of surviving by hunting and gathering wild foods. Around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate crops like millet and beans. They also raised livestock and produced furs. They created tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also created an industry of metallurgy, which produced iron tools and bronze. They traded with other states and introduced celadon papermaking, block printing art styles, as well as a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. This state adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. In this period the people of Buyeo were part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure with a monarch and high-ranking officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy whereas the majority of the population was peasants. The state collected taxes from the citizens and often required them to serve in the army or participate in government projects such as building fortifications.
By 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 expanded its territory to the southwest of the peninsula, and was at war with Goguryeo and China's commandos in the region. Baekje incorporated aspects of Confucian thought into its state beliefs and made the male centered concept of filiopiety an official doctrine in 1390 CE. In the name of filiopiety fathers were responsible for their families, and had to be obeyed and respected by everyone, even their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, a country which ruled from 918 until 1392 CE and gave the world the Hangul Alphabet based on the shapes created by the mouth when it pronounces. This greatly improved communication and led to an increase in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and movable type were also improved. It was during this time that the Samguk sagi, also known as 'History of the Three Kingdoms' was first written in 1145 CE.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula has been continuously inhabited since Neolithic times. Early evidence of human settlements is visible in the form of graves lined with stone, with precious objects like amazonite jewelry being buried along with the dead. Megalithic structures known as dolmens, constructed from huge single stones, are widespread throughout the country.
In the first part of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognized political state. The peninsula was then under the control of a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE), including Baekje and Goguryeo. Moreover, the northern region of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which the majority of historians do not consider to be a proper Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. In all of them, Baekje was the most powerful however, its dynasty ended by the fall of Goguryeo in 676 CE leaving Baekje with its southern territories of Manchuria and the western region around the Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy flourished for a short time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to collaborate to expand Www.Evolutionkr.Kr their territories. In the final phase, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated all other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea is entering the post-crisis phase its development model appears to be changing. The people who are awed by the cost of the old systems are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of labor, capital and product markets. On the other hand, people who support the old system try to protect it by promoting nationalist sentiments, as well as by exaggerating fears about possible job loss.
Academics and analysts are divided on the extent to which Korea's growth is being driven by these two trends. This article reviews developments to date, by looking at five phases of the country's political evolution: the illiberal democratic period (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 the key elements that are the driving force behind these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made progress in promoting their views to this segment. A survey in 2009 revealed that almost a third of respondents did not believe in the theory of evolution. Of the respondents, 41% stated that there was not enough scientific evidence to support evolution 39% of respondents said that the theory was in contradiction to their religious beliefs and 17% said it was difficult to comprehend. This level of disbelief approaches that of the United States, where a majority of people do not accept that humans evolved from less advanced species of life.
In the past, the majority of the anti-evolution movements in Korea was focused on educating college students and in bringing them to Christ. 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 main speakers. This event was attended by an audience of scientists, professors and church leaders.
The event's success resulted in the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31, 1980. The inauguration meeting was widely reported in the national press, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and attracted a lot of attention.
KACR began publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In it, the organization presented its own work and published articles about scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR, as well as some books on the subject that were in print 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 the KAIST university in Seoul were so interested in creationism, they raised money and secured funding to construct a small creationist museum on campus.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine, CREATION. This magazine covers topics in the field of creation science. It also sponsored a series lectures by ICR staff. It also has an organization of local branch offices that offer talks and seminars to children and community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the latter half of the 19th century and the beginning of 20th, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, gave way to miniskirts and other style elements imported from overseas. Similar to the way traditional Korean music styles were replaced by contemporary jazz and rock and roll. In this time, the famous samulnori or the masked dance-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums as well as various musical instruments.
Korea's new development model is being developed in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The new regime's main challenge lies in the proper balance between state-led economic policies as well as market-based ones. It also requires a change in the incentives monitoring and discipline schemes that have been a part of the system before the crisis. These issues are addressed in Chapters 3 and 4.
Established by Onjo, prince of Goguryeo and the third son of Jumong, Baekje was established in the middle of the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other areas, and migrants from northern China. Baekje, an important regional power in the 4th century expanded its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. This meant that it was constantly in conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies on the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries resulted in the development of powerful local factions. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He controlled a part of the present-day Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Then, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
His rule was however short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and unified Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla Later, he incorporated Baekje into Goryeo peacefully as a successor. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a central ruling system. This marked the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was later controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually grew to become powerful states in Manchuria and on the peninsula.
