Evolution Korea
In the battle over evolution, Korean scientists aren't taking their chances. The Society for Textbook Revise (STR) has been fighting to have the Archaeopteryx and horses taken out of textbooks, saying they are typical symbols of evolutionism.
Confucian traditions, with their focus on achieving success in the world and their high importance of learning continue to dominate the culture of the country. However, Korea is seeking a new development paradigm.
Origins
The development of Iron Age culture brought more sophisticated states such as Goguryeo Baekje and Silla to the Korean peninsula. They all created a distinct style of culture that merged with influences from their powerful neighbours. They also adopted aspects of Chinese culture including Confucianism, Buddhism and shamanism.
Goguryeo was the first of these kingdoms to impose its own form of government on the Korean people. It consolidated its authority at the end of the 1st century and established a king-centered governing system by the early 2nd century. It expanded its territory to Manchuria and the north of the Peninsula by a series wars that drove the Han loyalists out of the region.
It was during this period that a regional confederation was formed called Buyeo. Its founder Wang Geon was given the title of king, and his name was written down in the 13th century Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). Buyeo was renamed Goryeo, and thus the name Korea. Goryeo was a prosperous commercial state and was also a center for learning. They raised goats, sheep and other livestock and created furs from the animals. They wrote poetry and dance-dramas with masks like sandaenori and tallori and also celebrated an annual festival known as Yeonggo in December.
The economy of Goryeo was stimulated by the brisk trade, which included the Song Dynasty of China. Traders from Central Asia, Arabia, Southeast Asia and Japan came to Byeongnando which was the entrance to Gaeseong, the capital city. Gaeseong. Silk and medicinal herbs were among the goods they brought.
Around 8000 BCE In the year 8,000 BCE, the Koreans began to establish permanent settlements and started cultivating cereal crops. They also invented pottery and polished stone tools, and began forming clan societies. The Neolithic Age lasted until the 12th century BC. Around this time Gija, a prince of the Shang dynasty of China is believed to have introduced a high culture to Korea. Many Koreans believed, right up to 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 state-led capital accumulation as well as government intervention in industry and business, contributed to rapid economic growth, which took it from one of the world's poorest countries to the ranks of OECD countries within three decades. This model was rife with moral hazard and corruption that was outright. It was therefore not sustainable in an economy characterised by trade liberalization and democratic change.
The current crisis has exposed the flaws of the old paradigm, and it's likely that an alternative model will be developed in its place. The chapters 3 and 4 look at the roots of Korea's government and business risk partnership. They explain how the emergence of economic actors that had an desire to maintain this system hindered Korea from making fundamental changes. These chapters, which are focused on corporate governance and financial resources allocation, offer a comprehensive examination of the causes of this crisis and suggest ways to move forward with reforms.
Chapter 5 examines the possible avenues for Korea's post-crisis development paradigm evolution by examining both the legacy of the past, as well as the new trends created by the IT revolution. It also examines how these trends will affect Korea's political and social structures.
One of the most significant findings is that a number of emerging trends are transforming the power structure in Korea, and it is these trends that will determine the direction of the country's future. In spite of the fact that political participation in Korea is still very restricted New forms of power are emerging which bypass political parties and challenge them, transforming the country's democratic system.
Another important fact is that the power and influence of the Korean elite has decreased. A large section of the population 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. The chapter concludes by stating that the success of Korea's new paradigm for development will be determined by how well these trends can be combined and whether people are willing to make difficult choices.
Benefits
South Korea has the ninth largest economy in the world, and the sixth fastest-growing. It has a huge and growing middle class as well as a strong research and development base that is driving innovation. Additionally the government has recently increased investments in infrastructure projects to help economic growth and promote social equity.
In 2008, the Lee Myung-bak administration announced five indicators of leadership in an attempt to establish a new system of development with a focus on change and practicality. The administration made efforts to streamline the government organization and privatize public corporations with higher efficiency, and reform administrative regulations.
Since the end of Cold War, South Korea pursues a strategy of integration of its economy with the rest of the world and beyond the region. Exports of high-tech consumer electronics and advanced manufacturing technologies have become a major source of income. Additionally, the government has been pushing the Saemaeul Undong (New Community Movement) initiative, transforming the country from an agricultural society into one that is focused on manufacturing.
The country enjoys a high quality of life and offers many benefits to its employees including maternity leave and job stability. Additionally, employers are required to purchase accident insurance, which covers the costs associated with work-related illness or injury. It is also typical for businesses to offer private medical insurance that provides insurance for illnesses not covered by National Health Insurance.
South Korea is viewed as an example of success for many emerging nations across the globe. However, the global financial crisis that struck Asia in 1997 challenged this perception. The crisis shattering the myths about Asia's miracle economies, and prompted an entirely new understanding of the role of the government in regulating risky private activities.
It seems that Korea's fate is not certain in the aftermath of these changes. On one hand, a new generation of leaders has adopted the image of a "strong" leader and started to experiment with market-oriented policies. A strong power base in the domestic arena makes it difficult to implement any major change.
Disadvantages
The reemergence and resurgence of creationists is a major hurdle to Korean science's efforts in educating the public about evolution. The majority of Koreans support teaching students about evolution however a small group headed by Bun-Sam Lim (the head of the Society for Textbook Revise, STR) is advocating for its removal from textbooks. STR claims that teaching evolution encourages an "materialist atheism" and portrays a "unhopeful worldview" for students. This could 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. The one-sided populism that is backed by powerful conservative think organizations, business interests and other influential groups, has also led to a growing distrust of the scientific community.
In the final analysis the study's findings regarding numerous vulnerabilities point to the need for targeted policy interventions to mitigate them in advance. These insights will help Seoul to reach its goal of creating an urban landscape that is harmonious.
In the COVID-19 case, pinpointing the vulnerable neighborhoods and their occupants will be crucial to drafting specific, compassionate policies that will bolster their welfare and security. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Jjokbangs, for example is a reflection of the socio-economic differences that could increase vulnerability to natural and man-made catastrophes.
To overcome this, South Korea needs a more inclusive civil society that can bring all communities together to tackle the most pressing issues facing the city. This requires a radical change in the structure and power of institutional politics. 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 aren't subject to any checks by the parliamentary bodies or independent inspection agents. This gives the president the power to dictate their own vision on the rest of the country. This can lead to the emergence of partisanship, which can result in stagnation and polarization in the country.