South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist tendencies. However, it's healthier than what one might expect.
The country is searching for a new paradigm of development. A Confucian culture that values respect for ancestors and gendered family relations continues to influence the society. There are indications of a secularist cultural trend forming.Origins
In the prehistoric era, the ancestors of modern Koreans lived on hunting and gathering wild food. Around 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet and beans as well as other crops. They also raised livestock and produced furs. They formed tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also established an industry for metalworking, which produced bronze tools and later iron ones. They traded with other states and introduced cedon, paper making block printing art styles, and a written language to Japan.
Gojoseon was established in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state adopted Chinese culture which included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. During this period the people of Buyeo joined Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure in which a monarch and top officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy while the rest of the population were peasants. The state extracted taxes from the citizens and often required them to serve in the army or work on projects for the government like building fortifications.
By the end of the period, the state of Baekje was established by Onjo who was a prince of Goguryeo and the son of Jumong who was the founder of Goguryeo. The new kingdom expanded to the southwest region of the peninsula, and fought against Goguryeo's commanderies and China's in the region. Baekje included elements of Confucian thought into its state beliefs and made the male centered filiopiety concept an official doctrine in 1390 CE. Under the guise filiopiety, fathers were accountable to their families. They were expected to be obeyed by all and respected by their grandchildren and children.
Goryeo, who ruled from 918 to 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet that was based on the shapes formed by the mouth during pronunciation. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. In addition, movable metal type printing was introduced and woodblock printing was refined. In 1145 CE the Samguk Sagi or "History of the Three Kingdoms" was the first to be recorded.
Development in Korea
The Korean peninsula was habitable from Neolithic times until. Early evidence of human settlements is evident in the form of cist graves paved with stone, with precious items such as amazonite jewelry being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, known as dolmens and built of single large stones, are prevalent throughout the country.
Gojoseon was the first state to be recognized during the first half of 1st millennium BCE. After that, the peninsula was ruled by a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC- 635 CE) including Baekje Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Additionally, the northern part of the peninsula was occupied by the Balhae kingdom, which many historians don't consider to be a legitimate Korean state.
After the Three Kingdoms arose the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, or Several States Period. Baekje was the most powerful of these states, was diminished by the Goguryeo's fall (676 CE), leaving it with only its southern territories in Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay. Eastern Buyeo, and the Gaya confederacy, flourished for a time.
The Unified Silla Kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms started to cooperate to expand their territories. Silla, with the help of the Chinese eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.
As Korea enters the post-crisis period the development paradigm of the country is in flux. People who are shocked by the immense cost of the old system advocate an extensive program of liberalization in capital, labor, and product markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system seek to protect it by promoting nationalist sentiments, as well as by inflating fears about potential job losses.
Academics and analysts are divided over the extent to which Korea's growth is being driven by these two trends. This article examines the five phases of Korea's development in terms of its political development that include illiberal democracies (1945-60) democratic autoritarianism (1961-72) authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-1877) democratic paternalism (2001-2002) and participatory democracy (2002). This article also identifies key factors that appear to be the driving force behind these developments.
Creationism in Korea
In South Korea, 26% of the population is Christian. Creationists have had success in promoting their beliefs to this population. A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that almost a third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those who voted, 41% stated that there was no scientific evidence to support the theory; 39% said it contradicted their religious beliefs. 17 percent said they didn't know what it meant. This level of doubt is similar to the United States where a similar percentage do not believe humans evolved from earlier forms of life.
In the past, the majority of the anti-evolution movements in Korea was focused on teaching college students and in bringing them to Christ. An increase in the interest in creation science occurred in the year 1980, when there was an all-day seminar that was held during the World Evangelization Crusade in Seoul which included 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 31st, 1980. The inaugural meeting was widely covered in national newspapers, including The Korea Times and Chosun Ilbo and attracted a lot of attention.
KACR began publishing a monthly newsletter called CREATION, where it reported on its activities and published articles about the scientific evidence supporting creationism. It also translated several slides and film strips from ICR and also some books on the subject that were in print outside of Korea. KACR members delivered lectures in churches and universities throughout the country.
A KACR success was observed at the KAIST University in Seoul. Students at KAIST in Seoul were fascinated by creationism that they raised funds and received funding to build an enlightened museum on campus.
In addition to its activities, KACR has published a bimonthly magazine called CREATION. The magazine covers subjects in the field of creation science. It also hosted a series of lectures by ICR staff. It has also organized local branches, which hold seminars and provide talks to school children and other community groups.
The evolution of South Korea
In the latter part 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, gave way to miniskirts and other style elements from abroad. The traditional Korean music was also replaced by rock and roll and jazz. During this period, the famous samulnori or the masked dance-dramas were very popular. These dramatic pieces were performed to the accompaniment of shaman drums and various musical instruments.
Korea's new development model is being developed in the aftermath of the economic crisis. The main challenge for the new regime is to strike the right balance between market-oriented and state-led policies. It also requires a change in the incentives and monitoring policies that created the system before the crisis. These issues are discussed in Chapters 3 and 4.
Baekje, 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 was one of the major regional powers in the early 4th Century expanded its territory to Mahan in north and Jeollanam-do south. In the process, it entered into frequent conflict with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies along the border.
The fall of Silla in the 8th and early 9th centuries allowed powerful local factions to rise. Gungye was a nobleman from Later Baekje who established a kingdom in Songak with Songak as the capital. He ruled a portion of today's Jeolla province as well as Chungcheong. Later, he moved the capital to Wansanju and became a rival of Goguryeo.
However his rule was not long-lasting. Wang Geon, a powerful local leader who defeated Gungye in 935 and unified Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla, later incorporated Baekje into Goryeo without a fight as his successor. Additionally, Wang Geon introduced fundamental reforms and strengthened a centralized government system. This marked the closing of the Three Kingdoms period. The Korean peninsula was then controlled by the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo Baekje Silla slowly developed into powerful states on the peninsula as well as in Manchuria.
