15 Gifts For The Evolution Korea Lover In Your Life
Evolution Korea
South Korea's democratic system is prone to populist tendencies. However, it's healthier than what one might expect.
The country is in search of a new development paradigm. The Confucian culture, which emphasizes respect for ancestors and as and gender-specific family relationships, continues to influence the society. There are signs that a secular culture is emerging.
Origins
In prehistoric times the ancestors of modern Koreans survived by hunting and gathering wild food. Then around 10,000 years ago, they began to grow crops including millet and beans. They also raised livestock and even made furs. They formed tribal states in Manchuria, and then on the Korean peninsula. They also created a metallurgy industry, producing bronze and later iron tools. They traded with other states and introduced Celadon paper making block printing art styles, as well as a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. This state embraced Buddhism and adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian philosophy. At this time the inhabitants of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure with a monarch and top officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy, while the majority of the population was peasants. The state imposed taxes on the citizens and often required them to fight in the army or work on projects for the government like building fortifications.
At the close 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 clashed with Goguryeo and China's commanderies in the area. Baekje introduced elements of Confucian beliefs into its official belief system and made the male-centric filiopiety idea as a law in 1390 CE. Under the guise filiopiety, fathers were responsible to their families. They must be obedient to everyone and respected by their children and grandchildren.
Goryeo, a country that ruled from 918 until 1392 CE and gave the world the Hangul Alphabet, based on the patterns created by the mouth while pronouncing. This dramatically improved 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.
The evolution of Korea
The Korean peninsula has been habitable since Neolithic times. The earliest evidence of human settlements is evident in the form of stone-lined cist graves with precious objects like amazonite jewelry being buried with the dead. Megalithic structures, also known as dolmens, built from massive single stones, are prevalent throughout the country.
In the first second half of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognized political state. After that the peninsula was ruled by several states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCbetween 635 and 57 BC CE) including Baekje Goguryeo and Silla. The northern portion of the peninsula was occupied for a period by the Balhae Kingdom that historians do consider to be a genuine Korean state.
Following the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Among them, Baekje was the most powerful of them all but its dynasty dissolved with the fall of Goguryeo in 676 CE and left it with its southern territories of Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy thrived for some time.
The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged, and the three kingdoms began to collaborate in order to expand their territory. In the end, Silla, with significant Chinese assistance, defeated all other states and united the peninsula in 935 CE.
As Korea enters a post-crisis phase its development model appears to be in flux. Those who are horrified by the huge costs of the old systems are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of labor, capital 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.
Academics and analysts are divided about the extent to which Korea's evolution is being driven by these two trends. This article analyzes the five phases of Korea's development in terms of its political development that include democratically illiberal democracies (1945-60), democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877) democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and democratic participation (2002). This article also identifies important factors that appear to be 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 2009 survey found that nearly three-quarters of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those, 41% claimed that there wasn't enough evidence from science to support the theory; 39% said the theory contradicted their religion and 17% claimed it was difficult to comprehend. This level of disbelief is similar to the United States where a similar number do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced forms of life.
In the past, the majority of the anti-evolution movement in Korea was focused on teaching college students and leading them to Christ. A significant increase in interest in creation science came in the year 1980, when there was a four-day seminar held during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul which featured Drs. Henry Morris and Duane Gish of ICR as the featured speakers. This event attracted a large number of professors, church leaders and scientists.
The success of the event led to the creation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31, 1980. The event was widely covered in the national press, including The Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Times.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, in which it reported on its activities and also published articles on scientific evidence for creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR and several books on creationism that were in print outside of Korea. KACR members taught throughout the country at universities and churches.
One instance of an KACR success story occurred at the KAIST university in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were fascinated by creationism that they raised money and secured funding to construct a small creationist museum on campus.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly publication called CREATION. This magazine covers topics in the field of creation science. It also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It also has local branches that hold seminars and give talks to schoolchildren and other community groups.
Evolution in South Korea
In the latter half of the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, Korea began to adopt a more Westernized style of life. The traditional hanbok, or Korean dress, was replaced to miniskirts and other style elements imported from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. In the period of this transition the famous samulnori, also known as dance-dramas with masks were extremely popular. These dramatic pieces were performed with the accompaniment of shaman drums and different musical instruments.
Korea's new development model is being formed in the wake of the economic crisis. The main challenge for the new regime is the balance between state-led economic policies as well as market-based ones. It also requires altering incentives, monitoring, or disciplining systems that have been a part of the system prior the crisis. These issues are covered in Chapters 3 & 4.
Baekje was founded by Onjo Prince and third son of Jumong of Goguryeo was established by people from the Hangang River area, Buyeo and other areas as well as migrant workers from northern China. Baekje, one of the major regional powers in the 4th century extended its territory to Mahan in the north and Jeollanam-do south. This meant that it was constantly in conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanders at the border.
The decline of Silla between the 8th and 9th centuries resulted in the development of powerful local factions. Gungye, a 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. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.
The rule of his was, however, short-lived. After Gungye's defeat, he was overthrown 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. Evolution KR introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the central government system. This marked the conclusion of the Three Kingdoms period. The Korean peninsula was later under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly developed into powerful states on the peninsula, and in Manchuria.