Developing and Maintaining a National Classification System, Experience from Korean Decimal Classification

Abstract

Korean Decimal Classification (KDC) is described. KDC is a standard classification system officially published and maintained by the Korean Library Association. After tracing a brief history of modern classification in South Korea, we examine various characteristics and problems of KDC in detail, including the social context of developing it, its usage in the Korean libraries, the influences of other classifications on the system, characteristics of the schedule and major tables, and its newest edition (5 th ed.). We make eight suggestions and recommendations for future development of KDC, in particular, and for the development and maintenance of unique national classification, in general, based on experience in South Korea.