The 10 Scariest Things About Evolution Korea

Evolution Korea

South Korea’s democracy is prone to populist impulses. However, it is more stable than might be expected.

The country is searching for a new way of developing. A Confucian culture that stresses respect for ancestors as well as gendered family relations continues influence the society. However, there are signs that a secularist culture is gaining ground.

Origins

During prehistoric times the ancestors of the modern Koreans lived by hunting and gathering wild food. Then around 10,000 years ago they began to cultivate crops including millet and beans. They also raised livestock and produced furs. They created tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also developed an industry of metalworking, making bronze tools and later iron ones. They traded with other nations and introduced celadon and block printing to Japan, as well as styles of art, a written language, and papermaking.

In 2333 BCE Gojoseon was established in the southern region of the peninsula. This state embraced Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. In this period the inhabitants of Buyeo were incorporated into Gojoseon. Gojoseon was a state of hierarchy where the monarch and other senior officials were members of the land aristocracy, while the majority of the population were peasants. The state extracted taxes from these citizens, and often required them to serve in the army or take part in government projects such as building fortifications.

Onjo Prince 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 end of the period. This 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 thinking into its state beliefs and made the male centered filiopiety concept 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, who would rule from 918 to 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet based on the shapes made by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to a boom 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 recorded in 1145 CE.

Evolution in Korea

The Korean peninsula was habitable from Neolithic times onwards. Early evidence of human settlements can be found in the form of graves that were lined with stones, and adorned with valuable items like amazonite jewelry buried with the dead. Megalithic structures known as dolmens, constructed from massive single stones, are widespread throughout the country.

Gojoseon was the first political state to be recognized during the first half of 1st millennium BCE. After that, the peninsula was ruled by a variety of states in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC- 635 CE) including Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla. Moreover, the northern region of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which many historians do not consider to be a legitimate Korean state.

Following the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged in the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Among them, Baekje was the most powerful state but its dynasty dissolved 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 began to cooperate in order to expand their territorial holdings. Silla, with the help of the Chinese eventually conquered and unified the peninsula in 935.

As Korea enters a post-crisis phase the way it develops appears to be changing. Those who are horrified by the enormous cost of the old systems are in favor of a comprehensive plan for liberalization of capital, labor and markets for products. On the other hand, people who support the old system try to protect it by promoting nationalist sentiments, and by stoking fears of job losses.

Analysts and academics are divided over the extent to which Korea’s development is influenced by these two trends. This article focuses on the five phases of Korea’s development 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 key factors that are driving these developments.

Creationism in Korea

In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made strides in promoting their views to this segment. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly one-third of respondents didn’t believe in evolution. Of the respondents, 41% believed that there was no scientific evidence to support the theory 39% believed it was contrary to their religious beliefs. 17% said they did not comprehend it. This level of disbelief is comparable to that of the United States where a similar number do not believe that humans evolved from less advanced types of life.

In the past, the anti-evolutionist campaign in Korea was focused on the education of students and the introduction of Christ to them. In 1980 the year 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 led to the formation of the Korea Association of Creation Research on January 31st, 1980. The inauguration meeting was widely covered in national newspapers, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and also attracted a lot of attention.

KACR began publishing a newsletter titled CREATION. In it, the organization presented its own work and published articles about scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated a number of slides and film strips from ICR as well as a few books on the subject of creationism, which were already published outside of Korea. KACR members lectured throughout the country in churches and universities.

A KACR success was witnessed at KAIST University in Seoul. Students at the KAIST university in Seoul were so interested in creationism, they raised funds and received funding to construct a small creationist museum on campus.

In addition to its public activities, KACR publishes a bimonthly news magazine called CREATION which covers topics in the field of creation science. It has also sponsored a series of lectures by ICR staff. It also has a network of local branches, which hold seminars and provide talks to school children and other community groups.

Changes in South Korea

In the late 19th century and beginning of 20th, Korea moved toward a Westernised lifestyle. The traditional Korean dress, the hanbok, was replaced with miniskirts, and other fashion elements from abroad. In the same way, traditional Korean music styles were replaced by contemporary jazz and rock and roll. During this time the samulnori, or masked dance-dramas, became popular with the general public. These dramatic pieces were performed to the beat of shaman drums and other instruments.

The economic crisis has formed Korea’s new development paradigm. The primary challenge facing the new regime lies in the proper balance between state-led economic policies as well as market-based ones. It also involves rethinking the incentives and monitoring policies that been a part of the system before the crisis. These issues are covered in Chapters 3 & 4.

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 immigrants from northern China. Baekje was a major regional power in the early 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 fall of Silla in the late 8th and 9th centuries allowed powerful local factions to emerge. Gungye an eminent noble from Later Baekje, established a kingdom with Songak as its capital and exerted control over part of the present-day Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces. Later, he relocated the capital to Wansanju and became a rival to Goguryeo.

However, his rule was short-lived. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and unified Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla and later joined Baekje into Goryeo and acted as a peaceful successor. Wang Geon also introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened the centrally-run system. This marked the end to the Three Kingdoms Period. The Korean peninsula was then under the control of the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly grew into powerful states on the peninsula as well as in Manchuria.