Because of Chinese cultural influences and Koreas own choices regarding its development, a Confucian society has developed in Korea that is even more typical of Confucianism than what currently exists in China. Since the 1960s Korea has been modernizing at an accelerated pace, resulting in a number of differences with China with respect to Confucianism and its effects on the countrys economy and culture. Obviously Confucianism has many positive aspects, but unfortunately Korea has had few opportunities to properly reflect upon Confucianism. From ancient times, Korean society has always attached importance to not only formalities and a rigid adherence to social status, but also to the strengthening of the Korean ideals of family, nation, and community by stressing the concepts of Confucianism. This Korean style of Confucianism values blood, local geographical, and school relationships too strongly, and whats more it reinforces the idea that males are more valuable to society than females. These elements are not at all conductive to contemporary pluralistic societys health and development; on the contrary, they may be its biggest hindrance on Koreas path to becoming a veritable advanced society. Recently a strong and powerful Confucian culture has seen a marked revival in Chinese society. Facing such interest in Confucianism in the current technologydriven 21st century, we should approach such movements rationally while also learning lessons from history that will allow us to selectively adopt those beliefs that are best suited for modern society.
