Evolution Korea
In the debate over evolution, Korean scientists aren't taking their chances. The Society for Textbook Revise (STR) has been battling to get the Archaeopteryx and horses removed from textbooks, claiming they are common symbols of evolutionism.
Confucian traditions, with their emphasis on the importance of success in the world and the high importance of learning continue to dominate the culture of the country. But Korea is seeking an alternative development model.
Origins
The development of Iron Age culture brought more sophisticated states like Goguryeo Baekje and Silla to the Korean peninsula. Each of them had their own distinct cultural style that merged with influences of their powerful neighbors. They also adopted elements of Chinese culture, including Confucianism, Buddhism and shamanism.
Goguryeo, the first of the Korean kingdoms was the first to establish their own form of government. It consolidated its power at the end of the 1st century and established a king-centered ruling system by the beginning of the 2nd century. Through a series wars it wiped out those who were loyal to the Han dynasty from the north of the peninsula. It also expanded its territory to Manchuria too.
During this period the regional confederation of Buyeo was created. Its founder Wang Geon was given the title of king and his name was recorded down in the 13th-century Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). Buyeo was renamed Goryeo, and thus the name Korea. Goryeo had a strong commercial state, and was a centre for education. Its people cultivated crops and raised livestock like goats and sheep and they made furs from them too. They wrote poetry and masked dance-dramas like sandaenori or tallori and also celebrated an annual festival known as Yeonggo in December.
The economy of Goryeo was stimulated by brisk trade, including with the Song Dynasty of China. Byeongnando was the gateway to Gaeseong the capital city of Gaeseong. Traders came from Central Asia, Arabia and Southeast Asia. Silk and medicinal herbs were among the products they brought.
Around 8000 BCE, the Koreans started to establish permanent settlements and began cultivating cereal crops. They also invented pottery and polished stone tools, and began to organize themselves into clan societies. The Neolithic Age continued until the 12th century BC. At this time, Gija, a Shang dynasty prince from China, is said to have introduced high culture to Korea. Up until the 20th century, a lot of Koreans believed that Dangun and Gija gave Korea its people and their basic culture and their basic culture, respectively.
Functions
Korea's previous development model that stressed the importance of state-led capital accumulation and government intervention in industry and business, led to rapid economic growth, which took it from one of the world's poorest countries to the ranks of OECD countries in three decades. The system was plagued by moral hazards and outright corruption. It was therefore not sustainable in an economy characterised by trade liberalization, and democratic change.
The current crisis has exposed the weaknesses of the previous model, and it is likely that an alternative model will be developed in its place. Chapters 3 and 4 explore the origin of Korea's government-business risk partnership, and demonstrate how the rise of business actors with an interest in preserving this model prevented it from adopting fundamental reforms. By focusing on corporate governance and financial resource allocation the chapters provide a thorough examination of the underlying causes of the crisis and point to ways of moving forward through reforms.
Chapter 5 traces the possible paths that Korea's evolution of its development paradigm in the post-crisis time frame, examining both the legacies of the past and new developments triggered by the IT revolution and globalization. It also examines the implications of these trends for Korea's political and social structures.
The major finding is that there are many emerging trends that are altering the nature of power and will determine the future of the country. In spite of the fact that political participation in Korea is extremely restricted New forms of power are emerging that bypass political parties and challenge them, thus transforming the country's democratic system.
Another important finding is that the power of the Korean elite is not as powerful as it once was, and that a large portion of society has a sense of being disconnected from the ruling class. This suggests the need to work harder at civic education and participation, as well as for new models of power sharing. The chapter concludes that the success or failure of Korea's new development paradigm will depend on how well these new trends can be incorporated into a willingness to make hard decisions.
Benefits
South Korea has the ninth largest economy in the world and the sixth fastest-growing. It has a large and growing middle class, as well as a strong research and development base that is driving innovation. Additionally the government has recently increased its investment in infrastructure projects to help growth in the economy and to promote social equity.
In 2008, Lee Myung Bak's administration introduced five indicators of leadership in an attempt to create a development system that emphasized changes and practicality. The administration made efforts to streamline government administration and privatize public companies for greater efficiency, and overhaul administrative regulations.
Since the end of Cold War, South Korea is pursuing a strategy for integration of its economy the rest and beyond the region. Exports of high-tech consumer electronics and advanced manufacturing technologies have become an important source of income. The government is also promoting Saemaeul Undong, which is a new community movement, to transform the country from a society which is primarily agricultural to one that is focused on manufacturing.
The country also enjoys a high standard of living and offers various benefits to employees, such as pregnancy leave and job security. Additionally, employers are required to purchase accident insurance, which covers the costs related to work-related illness or injury. In addition, it is common for companies to provide 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 around the world. The global financial crisis of 1997 which swept through Asia and the world, challenged this notion. The crisis shattering the traditional wisdom about Asia's miracle economies, and prompted an overhaul of the role of government in regulating risky private activities.
It appears that Korea's destiny is still uncertain in the aftermath of these changes. A new generation of leaders have embraced the image of a "strong leader" and begun to experiment in market-oriented policies. On the other hand, a powerful domestic power base has made it difficult to implement radical changes.
Disadvantages
The revival and influence of the creationists is a major hurdle for Korean science in its efforts to educate the public about evolution. While the majority of Koreans are in favor of teaching evolution in schools one small group of creationist groups--led by a microbiologist called Bun-Sam Lim, who is the head of the Society for Textbook Revise (STR)--is insisting on its removal from textbooks. STR argues that teaching evolution promotes "atheist materialism" and portrays an "unhopeful" perspective for students, which could cause students to lose faith in humanity.
The roots of this anti-evolution stance are complex and diverse. 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-sided populism of the government, bolstered by powerful conservative business interests and think tanks, aggravates public distrust of the scientific community.
In the end, the study's findings on the widespread vulnerability highlight the need for targeted policy interventions to mitigate them in advance. As Seoul continues to pursue its goal of becoming a more cohesive urban environment, these insights serve as an impetus for an unifying push for greater inclusivity in its policies.
In the COVID-19 case, identifying vulnerable neighborhoods and the occupants will be essential to crafting specific, compassionate policies that improve their wellbeing and security. For instance, the high effect of the pandemic on Jjokbangs reflect the socio-economic differences that can compound vulnerability to natural and manmade disasters.
To overcome this, South Korea needs a more inclusive civil society that can bring all communities together to solve the city's most pressing challenges. This requires a fundamental change in the structure of the institution, starting with the power of the president. The Blue House can mobilize a large bureaucracy, and also use the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, and the intelligence bureau to exert political influence. These agencies are not subject to oversight by institutions of the parliament or independent inspectors. This gives the president the ability to dictate his vision to the rest of the nation. This can lead to the emergence of partisanship, which could lead to stagnation and polarization within the country.