Evolution Korea
In the debate over evolution, Korean scientists aren't taking their chances. The Society for Textbook Revise (STR) has been campaigning to get the Archaeopteryx and horses taken out of textbooks, saying they are common symbols of evolutionism.
Confucian traditions, with their emphasis on worldly success and high valuation of learning, still dominate the culture of the country. However, Korea is seeking a new paradigm of development.
Origins
The development of Iron Age culture brought more sophisticated states like Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla to the Korean peninsula. They all developed a unique culture which blended with the influence of their powerful neighbours and they also adopted aspects of Chinese culture, particularly Confucianism and Buddhism however shamanism continued to be practised too.
Goguryeo, the first of the Korean kingdoms, was the first to impose their own form of government. It consolidated its authority in the 1st century and established a king-centered governing system by the early 2nd century. Through a series of wars it drove away the factions that were loyal to the Han dynasty from the north of the peninsula and expanded its territory in Manchuria too.
At this time the regional confederation of Buyeo was created. In the Samguk yusa of the 13th century, Wang Geon's name was listed as the king. Buyeo was renamed Goryeo, and thus the name was adopted by Korea. Goryeo was a prosperous commercial economy, and was a centre for education. Its people cultivated crops and raised livestock like sheep and goats. They also made furs from them too. They wrote poetry and dance-dramas with masks like sandaenori and tallori and held a festival every year called Yeonggo in December.
Goryeo’s economy was boosted through brisk trade, including with the Song Dynasty in China. Byeongnando was the main entry point to Gaeseong, the capital of Gaeseong. Traders came from Central Asia, Arabia and Southeast Asia. Silk and medicinal herbs were among the items they brought.
Around 8000 BCE Around 8,000 BCE, the Koreans started to establish permanent settlements and began cultivating cereal crops. They also invented pottery and polished stone tools, and started organising themselves into clan societies. The Neolithic Age continued until the 12th century BC. At the time, Gija, a Shang dynasty prince from China is believed to have introduced high culture to Korea. Many Koreans believed, until the 20th century that Gija and Dangun gave Korea their people and their basic culture.
Functions
Korea's old development paradigm that stressed the importance of capital accumulation by the state and government intervention in industries and business, contributed to rapid economic growth that took it from one of the world's poorest economies to the ranks of OECD countries in just three decades. The system was plagued by moral risks and even corruption. It was therefore not sustainable in a world economy characterised by trade liberalization and democratization.
The current crisis has exposed the weakness of the existing model, and it is expected that a new model will be developed to replace it. Chapters 3 and 4 look at the origin of Korea's government-business risk partnership and explain how the emergence of business actors with an interest in maintaining the system impeded the country from implementing fundamental changes. By focusing on corporate governance and financial resource allocation These chapters provide a thorough analysis of the root causes of the crisis and point towards ways to move forward with reforms.
Chapter 5 examines the possible routes of Korea's development paradigm evolution in the post-crisis time frame, examining both legacies inherited from the past as well as new trends triggered by the IT revolution and globalization. It also examines how these trends will impact Korea's social and political structures.
The main conclusion is that there are a variety of emerging trends that are altering the nature of power and will affect the future of the country. Despite the fact that political participation in Korea is still extremely limited New forms of power are emerging which bypass political parties and challenge them, thus changing the system of democracy in Korea.
Another important finding is that the influence and power of the Korean elite has decreased. A large section of society feels disengaged from the ruling class. This is a sign of a need for more efforts to educate and participate in civic life and new models of power sharing. Ultimately, the chapter concludes that the success or failure of Korea's development model will depend on how well these new trends can be combined with the ability to make tough choices.
Benefits
South Korea is the world's ninth-largest economy and sixth fastest growing. It has a growing middle class and a strong R&D base which drives innovation. Additionally, the government has recently increased investment in infrastructure projects to aid growth in the economy and to promote social equity.
In 2008, Lee Myung-bak's administration announced five indicators that would be used in a bid to create a new development system with a focus on change and practicality. It attempted to streamline the government organization, privatize public corporations equipped with higher efficiency, and reform administrative regulations.
Since 에볼루션 게이밍 of the Cold War, South Korea has been pursuing a strategy of economic integration with the rest of the region and beyond. Exports of high-tech consumer electronics and advanced manufacturing technologies have become a major source of income. The government has also been encouraging Saemaeul Undong, which is a new community movement, to transform the country from a society that is primarily agricultural into one that is focused on manufacturing.
The country enjoys a high standard of living and provides many benefits to its employees, including maternity leave and job stability. Additionally, employers are required to sign up to accident insurance which covers costs for work-related illnesses or injury. In addition, it is common for companies to offer private medical insurance which provides insurance for illnesses not covered by the National Health Insurance.
South Korea is viewed as a success model for many developing countries across the globe. The global financial crisis of 1997, which swept through Asia has challenged this perception. The crisis challenged the myths about Asia's miracle economies, and led to an overhaul of the role of the government in regulating risky private ventures.
In the wake of this transformation the Korean future isn't clear. On the one hand, a new generation of leaders has embraced the image of being a "strong" leader and begun to explore market-oriented policies. On the contrary, a strong domestic power base has made it difficult to implement fundamental changes.
Advantages
The revival and influence of the creationists is a major obstacle for Korean science in its efforts to educate the public on evolution. While the majority of Koreans are in favor of the teaching of evolution in schools, one small group of creationist groups -- led by a microbiologist named Bun-Sam Lim who is the president of the Society for Textbook Revise (STR)--is insisting on its removal from textbooks. STR believes that teaching evolution promotes "atheist materialism" and creates an "unhopeful" worldview for students, which can cause students to lose faith in humanity.
The causes of anti-evolutionist beliefs are complex and varied. Some researchers suggest that it is due to religious belief, while others point to an increasing prevalence of anti-intellectualism, which has been exacerbated by growing political elite fragmentation along ideologies, regions, class, and gender. In addition the one-sidedness of the government, supported by powerful conservative think tanks and business interests which has led to public disdain for the scientific community.
Ultimately, the widespread weaknesses that were identified in this study indicate the need for urgent targeted policy interventions to mitigate the risks. These findings will assist Seoul to reach its goal of becoming a cityscape that is harmonious.
In the COVID-19 case, pinpointing the vulnerable neighborhoods and their occupants will be crucial to drafting specific, compassionate policies that improve their wellbeing and security. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Jjokbangs for instance is a reflection of the socio-economic differences that can increase vulnerability to both natural and man-made catastrophes.
To overcome this, South Korea requires a more inclusive and diverse civil society that brings together all communities to address the most pressing issues of the city. This requires a fundamental change in the structure of the institution, starting with the power of the presidency. The Blue House can mobilize a large bureaucracy and utilize the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, and the intelligence bureau to exert influence on the political scene. These agencies are not subject to any checks by institutions of the parliament or independent inspection agencies. This gives the president a lot of power to dictate their own vision on the rest the country. This recipe can lead stagnation and polarization of the country.
