Korea Community Research Articles

The Usefulness of Intersubjective Community Wellbeing as a Community Development Indicator: Evidence from Comparing Three Approaches to Measuring Community Wellbeing

A critical issue in CWB studies is how to measure Community Wellbeing (CWB). While prior studies have focused on subjective and objective indicators for CWB measurements, this study introduces the intersubjective metric, identifying its necessity, importance, and usefulness. To this end, we collected objective data, subjective, and intersubjective data from Korea City Stat and CWB survey, and measured community wellbeing for twenty-seven communities in Korea from these three perspectives. We then compared and analyzed the three measurements (i.e., objective, subjective, and intersubjective approaches) using distance analysis, mean comparison analysis, and correlation analysis through the standardization and regularization process. The results of analyses demonstrated that the intersubjective CWB indicators are useful in themselves. Based on these findings, we hope that in future community well-being studies, the intersubjective indicators will be used as indicators for local development beyond simple indicators dealing with objective conditions and subjective satisfaction.

Building Consensus with Local Residents in Community-Based Adaptation Planning: The Case of Bansong Pilbongoreum Community in Busan, South Korea

Climate change adaptation is challenging in community planning because of the conflict between planners’ scientific knowledge and residents’ local knowledge. Focusing on the Bansong Pilbongoreum community in South Korea, we suggest a community-based adaption plan that uses local knowledge and builds consensus between local residents and planners by identifying problems and planning objectives. We applied this plan to our case study, using in-depth interviews, a community workshop, local knowledge, and scientific climate adaptation measures to identify the community’s problems and develop a plan. Planners and residents must communicate so that planners can incorporate local knowledge into effective planning objectives for community adaptation.

Aircraft Noise of Airport Community in Korea

Aircraft noise is one of the serious environmental noises with the increased use of flight traffic. The purpose of this study is to understand aircraft noise levels of airport communities in Korea using baseline data for audiologic management. Aircraft noise levels were retrieved from the National Noise Information System every month between 2004 and 2018. We reviewed aircraft noise levels obtained from total of 111 airport communities across 14 airports. In order to understand aircraft noise levels of civil and military airports, the aircraft noise levels measured in civil and military airport communities compared with the noise levels from civil airport communities. The data showed average 71-73 weight equivalent continuous perceived noise level (WECPNL) for fifteen years across airport cities and the average noise levels did not increase over time between 2004 and 2018 years. The civil and military airports showed about 12 WECPNLs of increased noise levels compared to the civil airports. The most civil and military airport communities, including Gwangju, Gunsan, Daegu, Wonju, and Cheongju generated the maximum noise levels and ranked as the highest airport for aircraft noise levels. Although aircraft noise levels in airport communities were similar over the past decade, civil and military airports generated increased noised levels compared to civil airports due to jet plane noises and other military-related noises. Careful consideration is necessary to implement noise reduction policy for civil and military airport communities. Ongoing noise control, hearing monitoring, education, and relevant policies are required to improve the quality of life in the airport community residences.

The friendly and cooperative relationship between Korea and Vietnam: The nature, current development and potential

Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Korea officially began on December 22, 1992. Looking back over twenty years after the end of the Cold War, along with the profound changes in the world’s situation and the situation in Asia-Pacific region, Vietnam-South Korea relationship has grown exponentially. In the history of international relations, very few relationships have not gone through the ups and downs; but growing up steadily. It seems that the relationship between Vietnam and South Korea is an exception. In a quite short period of time, since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship in 1992, relations between the two countries have developed rapidly in many fields such as economic, political and cultural. South Korea is the fourth largest trading partner and the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, only after Japan. The Korean Samsung Corporation is the role model investor in Vietnam. South Korea also has the largest community group living and working in Vietnam. In contrary, Vietnamese students are among the largest groups of foreign students studying in South Korea. Vietnamese workers are among the largest groups of foreign labor force and Vietnamese community also is among the largest and vibrant groups of foreign communities in South Korea. In addition, beside the common historical origin and being in mutual strategic partnership relationship, Vietnam and South Korea share many similarities in business customs, cultural background, cuisine and life-styles. It can be commented that this relationship is only continually in the rise and the two countries' public opinions are particularly welcoming this booming relationship. This review article is trying to cover and analyze all-round current relationship between the two nations and the implication for the future.

Gender difference in the association between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms among the elderly in rural areas

To determine gender difference in the nature of the association between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms in the elderly aged 60 and above in a rural community sample. A cross-sectional face-to-face survey conducted for community residents 60 years of age and older (n = 1,819). Alcohol consumption problems were measured by self-report of the Korean version of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-K) scale. Depressive symptom was measured using the Korean Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI) scale. Potential explanatory variables included MCS, PCS, and health-related behavior, socio-economics status, and democratic variables. Two gender-specific multivariate regression models were applied for the analysis. A U-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms was found, and the relationship did not differ by gender. Non-problem drinkers and hazardous and harmful drinkers were related to an increased risk of depressive symptoms for both men and women. Several correlates for the association were found. No gender difference was found in a U-shaped curvilinear relationship between alcohol consumption and depression found among the elderly aged 60 and above in rural communities in South Korea. The findings of this study suggest the need for further investigation of subgroup differences in the association by using samples of various age groups in rural and urban areas, and samples drawn from different cultural contexts than the studies conducted in Western countries.

Prevalence of and factors related with abnormal fundoscopic findings among the elderly population in a rural community in South Korea

ABSTRACTWe aimed to report the results of fundus photography ophthalmic examinations among older adults in a rural community in South Korea. We used data from the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project cohort study, which was designed to examine the entire population of individuals aged 60 years or older and their spouses living in a rural Village K of Ganghwa Island, South Korea. At baseline, a total of 860 people was targeted as the study population. From December 2011 to January 2019, five health examinations were conducted, including baseline and follow-up tests. During the fifth wave of the study, we performed fundus photography to assess eye health. Ophthalmic and physical examinations were conducted for 387 people who participated in the fifth wave by trained researchers. Systemic factors were evaluated via blood and diagnostic tests. After excluding eight people who did not undergo follow-up fundoscopy, a total of 379 participants was included for analysis. We classified the participants into two groups with either no (zero) or one or more suspicious ophthalmic diseases. The abnormalities included media opacity, suspected glaucoma, and suspicion of retinal disease as diagnosed by a trained specialist. We further categorized ophthalmic conditions as clinically insignificant, follow-up needed, semi-urgent, and urgent conditions. We included 379 participants, of which 225 (59.4%) were women. The mean age of the participants was 76.4 ± 6.2 years. Among all participants, 81% (n=307) had one or more abnormalities on fundus screening. Older age, living alone, high blood pressure, and high fasting insulin were associated with an increased risk of having ≥ one eye disease. In terms of triage, 3.7% (n= 14) of the observed conditions were urgent, and 25.9% (n= 98) were semi-urgent. Therefore, we documented fundoscopy results among the elderly population in a rural community in South Korea. Elderly people living alone were more likely to have eye disease. Policies to improve eye health are needed to prevent vision loss in this population.

Experience of gerotranscendence among community-dwelling older people: A cross-sectional study.

To investigate the experience of gerotranscendence among older people in community in Korea and the factors that influence their experience. While the literature provides estimates of how many older people are affected by negative aspects of ageing, it is not known to what extent and why some older people experience gerotranscendence, despite the challenges they encounter throughout their lifetime. A cross-sectional survey. A 55-item questionnaire was distributed to 109 older people between March and June 2017. Univariable and multivariable linear regressions were conducted on the four question group sum scores to identify factors associated with gerotranscendence. Older people aged 65-93 who live in a community in Korea reported the experience of gerotranscendence. Age and religion showed a statistically significant association with gerotranscendence. Religiosity showed a statistically significant association with beliefs about death and dying. Age and beliefs about death and dying have significant relationship with the experience of gerotranscendence. Older people who have more positive views about death and dying are more likely to experience gerotranscendence. The study results provide nurses and other healthcare professionals with new understandings and insights about the factors potentially related to positive ageing process. It is essential for nurses to investigate their own beliefs about death and dying, and their understanding of gerotranscendence which will contribute to developing education programs and practice guidelines as an essential part of promoting gerotranscendence and positive ageing.

Purification of the Cry1Ac protein of Bacillus thuringiensis and assessment against the Plutella xylostella and soil microbial community

AbstractThe insecticidal toxin gene of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is the most commonly used to develop insect‐resistant living modified organisms (LMOs). Insecticidal proteins produced in transgenic plants are released into the soil from the roots. In this study, possible effects of crystal 1Ac (Cry1Ac) protein on the soil microbial community in Korea were studied. To purify the insoluble Cry1Ac protein expressing Escherichia coli cells, we performed repeated sonication and PBS washing of the insoluble part and Cry1Ac protein was isolated in soluble form from the insoluble form using 100 mM Na2CO3 buffer (pH 9.6) without affinity bead. Also, size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) was performed to increase the purity of the isolated Cry1Ac protein. The final protein product was identified as Cry1Ac protein through MALDI‐TOF. Insecticidal activity of Cry1Ac protein was demonstrated through the death of Plutella xylostella treated with Cry1Ac protein. Purely isolated Cry1Ac protein showed the same insecticidal activity as Cry1Ac expressed in LM crops. To investigate the change of soil microbial distribution using maize field soils treated with Cry1Ac protein, we isolated high quality metagenomic DNAs from buffer‐ and Cry1Ac protein‐treated soil groups, and analyzed the distribution of soil microorganisms through next‐generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. NGS results showed a similar microbial distribution in both buffer‐ and Cry1Ac protein‐treated samples. These results suggest a useful risk assessment method for domestic targeted insect and soil microorganisms using the Cry1Ac protein.

Living Alone, Social Isolation and Depressive Disorder Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in an Urban Community in Korea

Living Alone, Social Isolation and Depressive Disorder Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in an Urban Community in Korea

Development of a Frailty Phenotype Questionnaire for Use in Screening Community-Dwelling Older Adults

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to develop a screening questionnaire for frailty based on the Fried frailty phenotype (FFP) in community-dwelling older adults. DesignCross-sectional data analysis of a cohort study. Setting and ParticipantsThe study used baseline data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Survey, a multicenter longitudinal study undertaken in 10 urban, rural, and suburban communities in Korea between 2016 and 2017. A total of 2917 older adults aged 70 to 84 years were included in the analysis, who were administered questionnaires and physical function tests. MethodsGait speed and grip strength were measured, and all participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and answered questions about weight loss and exhaustion based on FFP. ResultsFive questions were chosen to screen for FFP: fatigue (exhaustion), resistance (weakness), ambulation (slowness), inactivity, and loss of weight. The Frailty Phenotype Questionnaire (FPQ; range of 0-5) was well correlated with the Fried frailty scale (range of 0-5) (r = 0.643; P < .001). Frailty based on the FPQ score (≥3 of 5) showed satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for FFP (area under the curve = 0.89), with high sensitivity (81.7%) and specificity (82.5%). Conclusions and ImplicationsThe FPQ is a highly accurate screening tool for FFP in community-dwelling older adults.

R/V Isabu-Based First Ultraclean Seawater Sampling for Ocean Trace Elements in Korea

Trace elements (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, etc.) are essential micronutrients for marine organisms and are thus related to major issues in the ocean, such as climate change, ecosystem change, and pollution. However, given their extremely low concentrations in seawater, contamination-free clean seawater sampling for trace elements onboard is the most crucial factor in this study. Because of the absence of both clean seawater sampling techniques and related infrastructure (e.g., a research vessel equipped with a nonmetal sampling system), the trace element community in Korea has not contributed to the global community studying trace elements in the ocean, although the associated global joint study program “GEOTRACES” has been operating for 10 years. With the newly launched research vessel (R/V) Isabu of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), Korea is now equipped with a large comprehensive R/V complete with a contamination-free PRISTINE ultraclean seawater sampling system for trace elements. We conducted clean seawater sampling 2 research cruises in the Indian Ocean during 2017–2018 aboard the R/V Isabu, and we successfully obtained reliable data, which agree well with previously reported trace element data at these locations. Here, we present the procedure and preliminary results of clean water sampling for trace elements based on the R/V Isabu, as the first Korean open ocean trace element study. From this study, we expect that R/V Isabu will play an important role in research on oceanic trace elements and isotopes in the future.

Balancing safety and visibility: Lesbian community building strategies in South Korea

Heteronormative and gender hierarchical organization of economic, legal, and family life intersect to marginalize the lesbian community in South Korea. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) and women’s rights movements achieved some gains after democratic transition in the 1990s, but anti-LGBTQ activists target lesbians with harassment and violence. How do lesbians build networks and safe space under these conditions? How do they balance competing needs for visibility and safety? Drawing on 16 months of participant observation and ethnographic interviews, I analyze the relationship between lesbian community growth and safety practices. My intersectional approach examines the heterosexist context in which lesbian social spaces are maintained, and relations of power among LGBTQ, feminist, and anti-LGBTQ groups. Under threat of intersectional violence, lesbian social entrepreneurs withhold information, screen members and rely on spatial tactics to hide in plain sight, prioritizing safety over visibility. Finally, I discuss how some community members marginalized by these safety practices gain access to lesbian spaces.

The capacity of wastewater treatment plants drives bacterial community structure and its assembly

Bacterial communities in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) affect plant functionality through their role in the removal of pollutants from wastewater. Bacterial communities vary extensively based on plant operating conditions and influent characteristics. The capacity of WWTPs can also affect the bacterial community via variations in the organic or nutrient composition of the influent. Despite the importance considering capacity, the characteristics that control bacterial community assembly are largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that bacterial communities in WWTPs in Korea and Vietnam, which differ remarkably in capacity, exhibit unique structures and interactions that are governed mainly by the capacity of WWTPs. Bacterial communities were analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and exhibited clear differences between the two regions, with these differences being most pronounced in activated sludge. We found that capacity contributed the most to bacterial interactions and community structure, whereas other factors had less impact. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that microorganisms from high-capacity WWTPs are more interrelated than those from low-capacity WWTPs, which corresponds to the tighter clustering of bacterial communities in Korea. These results will contribute to the understanding of bacterial community assembly in activated sludge processing.

Occurrence and Fate of Micropollutants in Private Wastewater Treatment Facility (WTF) and Their Impact on Receiving Water.

This study investigated the occurrence and removals of micropollutants in the sewage treatment tank (STT) which is a typical private wastewater treatment facility used in the rural communities in Korea, and their impact on receiving water. STTs were selected in eight provinces to examine the regional difference in the composition of micropollutant occurrence. We measured ten selected micropollutants in influents and effluents of STTs, as well as upstream and downstream of its receiving surface water. The dominant micropollutants in the influent of the STTs were caffeine (13,346 ng/L), acetaminophen (11,331 ng/L), ibuprofen (1440 ng/L), and naproxen (1313 ng/L), in agreement with the amounts produced annually in Korea. In the effluent, caffeine (1912 ng/L), acetaminophen (1586 ng/L), naproxen (475 ng/L), and ibuprofen (389 ng/L) were detected in relatively high concentrations. The composition of micropollutants in STT influents showed little regional variation by provinces, suggesting that the consumption pattern of these micropollutants did not show regional variation. The removal efficiencies of the selected micropollutants at the STTs ranged from 12% (carbamazepine) to 88% (acetaminophen), lower than typical removal by sewage treatment plants (STPs). This result is probably due to the automatic operation systems and simple treatment processes in STTs compared with STPs. The concentrations of selected micropollutants upstream of the receiving water were generally lower compared with those observed downstream, indicating that effluent from STTs was the main source. The per capita discharge loads of STTs and annual emissions rates (kg/year) from private wastewater treatment facilities were estimated for the selected micropollutants.

The Association of Gait Speed and Frontal Lobe among Various Cognitive Domains: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS).

The aim of this study was to determine how gait speed and frontal lobe functionsin community-dwelling older adults in Korea. This was a cross-sectional study. The study used data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Survey (KFACS), a multi-center longitudinal study addressing 10 centers across urban, rural, and suburban communities in Korea, between 2016 and 2017. A total of 1552 older adults who underwent both gait speed tests and cognitive functions tests during the investigation of the KFACS. Gait speed was assessed by asking participants to walk from a starting point to a point 4 meters away at a normal gait. Cognitive functions were evaluated using various standardized cognitive functions tests. Gait speed was slower when participants were older or less educated The percentage of women, higher BMI, people with lower incomes, singles, smokers, and drinkers was high in the slower gait group. Also, all cognitive function scores were low and depression score was high in the group with slower walking speed. The slower walking speed showed low physical activity score and high prevalence of hypertension, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Among the seven cognitive functions (MMSE, memory, TMT, Recall, Recognition, digit span, and Fab), only TMT showed no significant difference between different gait speed groups. The other six cognitive functions showed higher results in the fastest gait speed group (T3), Participants in middle gait speed group (T2) also showed higher results in five of the seven cognitive function scores as well (Memory, Recall, Recognition, digit span, and Fab). In this study, we found correlation between the slower gait speeds and the decrease in cognitive function, and especially the frontal lobe dysfunction was most prominent of all cognitive dysfunctions.

Psychological and behavioral factors affecting electric vehicle adoption and satisfaction: A comparative study of early adopters in China and Korea

This study compares psychological and behavioral factors affecting EV (electric vehicle) adoption and satisfaction between China, the largest EV market in the world, and Korea, a fledgling EV market. Respective samples were collected from relatively mature EV users in four major cities in China (Chinese early majority) and from members of a fledgling EV community in Korea (Korean early adopters). The results show that environmental concern is an important determinant of EV purchase for the Chinese early majority, whereas the goal of minimizing operating costs is the most important determinant for the Korean early adopters. Usage satisfaction is high in both samples, with this factor being higher for the Korean early adopters than for the Chinese early majority. Usage satisfaction is also found to be related to the original purchase motive. Finally, EV owners in both countries cited “battery range” and “battery charging” as the two most important reasons for their dissatisfaction. We suggest that the government shift its emphasis from reducing acquisition cost to reducing vehicle operating cost and increasing convenience.

The Causes of Sudden Windstorm Inducing a Deadly Threat to Coastal Safety: A Case Study for the Fishing Boat Overturning on February 28, 2018

Kim, H.; An, H.-Y., Jeong, J.-H., Kang, Y.-H., Song, S.-K., and Kim, Y.-K., 2019. The causes of sudden windstorm inducing a deadly threat to coastal safety: A case study for the fishing boat overturning on February 28, 2018. In: Lee, J.L.; Yoon, J.-S.; Cho, W.C.; Muin, M., and Lee, J. (eds.), The 3rd International Water Safety Symposium. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 91, pp. 61-65. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.The incidence of overturning fishing vessels was approximately 2.7% of the total number of incidents involving fishing vessels in 2017, which is much smaller than that of engine failures or collisions, but it cannot be overlooked easily considering the damage scale (property and human life). In particular, after the sinking of the MV Sewol, also referred to as the Sewol Ferry Disaster, in 2014, the ship incident along with the casualties has been a great shock and trauma to the Korean people so far. On the afternoon of February 28, 2018, the fishing boat, Keun-Ryong, overturned in the open sea in front of Wando Island, causing seven casualties (two deaths and five missing persons) that also caused the shockwaves through the social community in Korea. According to media reports, the national coast guard deduced that the fishing vessel faced an unexpected condition and the crews could not press the distress signal button. In addition, bad weather condition due to wind gusts was considered the main cause. The instantaneous maximum wind speed in the shore near the accident area reached 20.7 m/s, but the quantitative wind speed at the accident spot was not known due to the absence of weather observations. To determine if a strong wind gust can overturn a fishing boat and to overcome the limitation due to the absence of weather observations in the open sea, high-resolution modelling was carried out using the WRF model in this study. A range of observation data were used to verify the model prediction as well as performance and to analyze the atmospheric instability between the upper and lower levels. Efforts need to be made prevent such accidents from recurring by predicting when similar weather conditions occur in the future.

Beyond the Sewol

On the evening of 15 April 2014, the Sewol Ferry set sail on its overnight journey from Incheon, in the North West of South Korea, to Jeju Island, 240 miles to the south. There were 476 people on board — 443 passengers, including 325 students and their teachers from Danwon High School. On the morning of 16 April, near Jindo Island, the ship made a sharp turn. According to the Automatic Identification System data, the ship veered, lost control, began drifting sideways and then capsized. The captain and crew were first to abandon the ship, after repeatedly telling the passengers to stay where they were. Over the next two hours, 172 passengers and crew were rescued, but many more were trapped inside as the ship sank. In total, 304 passengers were killed, including 250 of the high school students. Despite international outrage, there has not yet been a comprehensive investigation of what caused the Sewol to sink and why the passengers were not rescued promptly.The South Korean government's handling of the wreckage evoked public outrage as the government tried to evade culpability and hastily close the investigation. This tragedy became a turning point in South Korean history. Through this incident, the public began to question issues of community, education, government, law and violence in South Korea. Such cultural and political conditions might have created the urgency for artists to express their opinions and mourn the victims through performance. This essay examines how theatre troupe Yellow Ribbon's Living and Dying Next Door, the creation of commemorative classrooms and Jayoung Chung's Empathy commemorate and mourn the Sewol victims, and analyzes how such performances constitute interventions in public discourse that contribute to social change.

Queer Communities and Activism in South Korea: Periphery-Center Currents

ABSTRACT Research into South Korea’s LGBT+ communities is growing but still very limited, especially regarding communities in Busan and other urban areas outside the capital city, Seoul. We collected and analyzed responses from young LGBT+ who resided in the periphery and center and who described the two communities, their activist tactics, the connections/separations between them, and periphery-center characteristics of dialogue with opponents and participation in Korea’s conservative, evangelical Christian churches. We reveal attitudinal and behavioral differences between Seoul and Busan (and other outlying areas), and we suggest that the differences reflect, in part, physical, social, and psychological distances between LGBT+ residing in the periphery and center. In time, outlying areas may converge with the center, imitating, though perhaps incompletely, Seoul’s strong identity activism and more integrated community, or the periphery may pursue an independent, local identity.

How Much Intake of Sodium Is Good for Frailty?: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS).

The aim of this study was to determine how sodium intake can affect frailty, but not anorexia, in community-dwelling older adults in Korea. This was a cross-sectional study. The study used data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Survey (KFACS), a multi-center longitudinal study addressing 10 centers across urban, rural, and suburban communities in Korea, between 2016 and 2017. A total of 954 older adults who underwent both 24-hour dietary recall assessment and physical function test during the first-year baseline investigation of the KFACS. Frailty was determined according to the Fried frailty index (FFI). Of the 954 participants, 461 (48.3%) were male and the mean age was 76.3 years old. The average daily sodium intake was 3857 mg. The frailty prevalence in first to third quartiles was 21.8%, 7.5%, and 5.4%, respectively, and increased in the fourth quartile of sodium intake to 8.9%. Using the second quartile of sodium intake (2504-3575 mg) as reference, the odds ratios of frailty were 1.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.84-3.22), 1.33 (0.57-3.06), and 4.00 (1.72-9.27) for the first (<2504 mg), third (3575-4873 mg), and fourth (≥4873 mg) quartiles, respectively, in a multivariate-adjusted analysis. Low sodium intake (<2504 mg) is related to frailty in older people, but it seems to be a less important factor than other nutritional factors. The prevalence of frailty did not increase up to a daily sodium intake of 3575 mg, but it increased upon a daily sodium intake higher than 3575 mg.