The 10 Scariest Things About Evolution Korea
Evolution Korea
South Korea's democracy is prone to populist impulses. It is still healthier than expected.
The country is looking for a new way of developing. The Confucian culture, which stresses respect for the ancestors as and gender-specific family relationships, continues to influence the society. However, there are signs that a secularist culture is beginning to emerge.
Origins
In the prehistoric era the ancestors of the 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 made furs. These people formed tribal states in succession in Manchuria and on the Korean peninsula. They also established an industry for metalworking, which produced bronze tools and later iron tools. They traded with other states and introduced celadon, paper making, block printing, art styles and a written language to Japan.
In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was established in the southern region of the peninsula. The state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. At this time the inhabitants of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a hierarchical society in which a monarch and high-ranking officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy, while the majority of the population were peasants. The state collected taxes from these citizens and sometimes even required them to join the army or construct 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. This new kingdom expanded into the southwest of the peninsula, and fought with China's commandos and Goguryeo's in the area. Baekje took on Confucian ideas into its state belief 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, and had to be revered and obeyed by all, including their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 until 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet built on the patterns created by the mouth when it was pronounced. This greatly improved communication and led to a boom in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and the movable metal type were also improved. It was at this time that the Samguk sagi or 'History of the Three Kingdoms' was first recorded in 1145 CE.
Evolution in Korea
The Korean peninsula was inhabited from Neolithic times until. Early evidence of human settlements can be found in the form cist graves paved with stones, and adorned with precious objects like amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, constructed from huge single stones, are widespread throughout the country.
Gojoseon became the first political state to be recognized in the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. After that, the peninsula was ruled by various states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCbetween 635 and 57 BC CE) including Baekje Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians don't consider to be a valid Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Baekje was the most powerful of these states, was weakened by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE) leaving only its southern territories in Manchuria and the the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, prospered for a while.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to cooperate in order to expand their territorial holdings. In the end, Silla, with significant Chinese aid, conquered the other states and unified the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea is entering a post-crisis period its development model appears to be in flux. The people who are awed 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, people who support the old system try to preserve it through nationalist sentiments, as well as by exaggerating fears about possible job loss.
Policy and academic analysts are in a tense debate about the extent to these two developments are driving Koreas evolution towards an entirely new model of economic governance. This article reviews the latest developments by analyzing five phases of Korea's political evolution: the illiberal democratic period (1945-60), democratic authoritarianism (1961-72) and authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87) democratic paternalism (1987-2001), and democratic participation (2002 to the present). This article also highlights important factors that appear to influence these processes.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made strides in promoting their beliefs to this segment. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly one-third of respondents were against evolution. Of the respondents, 41% stated that there was not enough scientific evidence to support evolution 39% claimed that the theory was in contradiction to their religious beliefs and 17% said it was difficult to understand. This level of doubt is similar to that in the United States, where a similar percentage of people do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced forms of life.
In the past, most of the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on educating college students and leading them to Christ. A significant rise in interest in creation science began in 1980, with a four-day seminar held during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul which featured Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Gish of ICR as the keynote speakers. The event attracted an impressive crowd of scientists, professors and church leaders.
The event's success led to the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31 in 1980. The event was widely covered in the national media, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR started publishing a newsletter called CREATION. In CREATION, the organization published its own activities and published articles on scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated a number of slides and film strips from ICR and also some books on the subject of creationism, which were already published outside of Korea. KACR members also gave talks in churches and universities throughout the country.
One example of a KACR success story was at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were interested in creationism, they raised money and got funding to build an enlightened museum on campus.
In addition to its work, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine called CREATION. This magazine covers topics in the creation science. It also sponsored a series lectures by ICR staff. It also has a network of local branch offices that host talks and seminars to schoolchildren and community groups.
Evolution 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, was replaced to miniskirts and other style elements imported from abroad. Similar to the way traditional Korean music styles were replaced by contemporary rock and roll and jazz. In the period of this transition, the famous samulnori or masked dancing-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed with the accompaniment of shaman drums and various musical instruments.
Korea's new development paradigm is being created in the wake of the economic crisis. The biggest challenge facing the new regime is to find the right balance between market-oriented and state-led economic policies. It also requires changing incentives, monitoring or discipline schemes that have created the system prior to the crisis. These issues are covered 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 the people who lived along the Hangang River, those from Buyeo and other areas and migrants from northern China. In the early 4th century, Baekje was a major regional power, and expanded its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do in the south. In the process, it entered into frequent battle with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies along the border.
The fall of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries saw powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as its capital. He was the ruler of a large portion of today's Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju. He was an adversary 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, 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 to the Three Kingdoms Period. From then on the Korean peninsula was 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.
