Experience Of South Korea Research Articles

Not at All Effective: Differences in Views on the Causes of Prescription Non-adherence Between North Korean Defectors and Medical Providers in South Korea

By focusing on North Korean defectors' medical experiences in South Korea and their medical providers' experiences treating the defectors, this article considers the differences between the views of these two groups in regard to the causes of prescription non-adherence. The results suggest that (a) whereas the defectors tended to see their symptoms as being physical in nature, the medical providers often ascribed symptoms to psychological/socio-cultural influence; (b) whereas the defectors tended to trust in their ability to self-diagnose and in their belief systems established in North Korea, the medical providers tended not to place trust in these aspects; (c) whereas the defectors tended to view the available medical treatment as inappropriate for them, the medical providers often noted the presence of tolerant bacterial strains as causes of treatment failure; and (d) whereas the defectors felt that the treatment they received was slow and ineffective and attributed this to capitalism, the medical providers felt that the defectors failed to understand the concept of staged treatments. Based on the findings, some solutions are suggested to address the complex issue of North Korean defectors' prescription non-adherence in terms of subjective/objective health assessments and patient-centered care. North Korean defectors' established health beliefs/lack of medical knowledge based on their previous medical and cultural experiences gave rise to beliefs and practices associated with medicine that differ significantly from those of the health providers and that have the potential to severely compromise the defectors' health. Therefore, therapy negotiation and appropriate education are suggested as possible solutions, and as an agenda, the notion of civic friendship is addressed. Implications for medical practice, prevention, and intervention are also discussed.

A Proposal for the Development of Pre-Primary Education in Saudi Arabia Based on the Experiences of Malaysia and South Korea (A Comparative Study)

This study aims to identify the most important key features of pre-primary education in South Korea and Malaysia and the possibility of benefiting from their experiences in the development of this phase of education in Saudi Arabia, given certain circumstances and possibilities. This study identifies the similarities and differences through a review of the experiences of South Korea and Malaysia with respect to pre-primary education. The study subsequently analyzes and compares the results with the status of pre-primary education in Saudi Arabia to conceive a proposal for the development of a pre-primary education program in Saudi Arabia. The results of this study indicate that many factors have delayed the progress of pre-primary education in Saudi Arabia, including cultural factors and the unexpected and unplanned economic boom. The study suggests increasing the complementary relationship with the private sector through the granting of facilities to invest in the creation of excellent programs and pilot projects in kindergarten. In addition, the study suggests maintaining the quality of programs offered by enriching the integration of technology into the curriculum and directing pre-primary education curricula to focus on children’s self-respect and on teaching through play, cooperative learning, and role-playing. The study further suggests that Saudi Arabia can benefit from the creative approach incorporated in Malaysia and South Korea based on the educational philosophy to meet the needs of children. The outcome of this study is a proposal for the development of a pre-primary stage education program.

Two Illustrations from South Korea and Some Reflections about the Public Administration Studies: Are We Granted to Pillory the Ethics or Social Justice

Amidst the ideology, efficiency and bitter contention of international economy, the importance of leadership or public administration had long been under-stressed as an avenue for any better solution. Nonetheless, within a changing mode of interaction in the global community, an increasing ethos for the kind of common basis of ethics or agreement, at least in the level of class administrators or noble citizenry including the academicians, business leaders, bureaucrats and so, could be congruent for the public good on the national and international plane. A rapid transformation for the informative society or sharing and humanity or social justice generally is seen to enable the possibility of new openness against the divergences from various reasons. Typically, I consider the public administration other than law, inter alia, could have strands to leap for any grand promise or for any cosmopolitan public value since it tends progressive and less ideological. At the core of ambition underlie the ethics of public administrators or their responsibility for the constituents and global public. The paper deals with two illustrative cases from the experience of South Korea which matters at the negative and positive concept of liberty. They will be investigated, empirically at some extent and in view of the ethics of congressmen and public officers. I, then, turn to explore the western theories and tenets often associated with their moral standard. Finally, the context could be revisited for the global scale of transformation expanded to cover the Orient and West.

Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Elderly Outpatients by the 2012 Version of Beers Criteria: A Single Tertiary Medical Center Experience in South Korea

Background: The American Geriatric Society released the 2012 updated version of the Beers criteria with intentions to improve care of older adults by reducing their exposure to potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). However, there have been no reports on the prevalence of PIMs prescriptions according to the 2012 version of Beers criteria in South Korea. Methods: This is a retrospective study using medical records and code analysis of each PIM to survey the prevalence of PIMs prescriptions and common PIMs used for elderly patients. Locating the PIMs was carried out in all outpatients who visited Asan Medical Center from May 2012 to April 2013. Selection of PIMs was based on the 2012 updated version of the Beers criteria. Results: A total of 652,192 outpatients older than 65 years visited our medical center during the study period and were analyzed. Among them, 33,810 (5.19%) received at least one PIM and 125,498 cases of PIM prescriptions were written. The percentage of the patients who received at least two kinds of PIMs concurrently was 33.14%. Common PIMs were tramadol (24.15%), clonazepam (11.51%), ibuprofen (10.02%), megesterol (9.80%), and amitriptyline (9.51%). Conclusion: Our study investigated the prevalence of PIMs prescription for Korean elderly outpatients in a single tertiary medical center. Compared to previous reports using the older version of the Beers criteria, our study showed a change in the priority of common PIMs.

The emergence of a regional hub: comparing international student choices and experiences in South Korea

As the demand for international education increases, middle-income non-English speaking countries, such as South Korea, play an increasing role in hosting the world’s students. This mixed-methods study compares the different motivations and experiences of international students within and outside the East Asian region. Based on findings, this paper suggests the possibility of Korea developing its position as a regional hub for education in East Asia. It also discusses related issues such as English-Medium Instruction in Korean higher education as well as strategies for international student recruitment.

Rising earnings inequality and the role of education revisited

Numerous studies have found a strong positive association between the level of education and economic returns (i.e., earnings). This relationship, however, has received less examination in the context of institutional or temporal variability. Drawing on the experience of South Korea in the decade after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, this study examines the role of education in rising earnings inequality under a radically changing institutional environment. Based on data from the Korean Labor Income Panel Study and Theil index decomposition, this study finds that despite the robust association between education and earnings inequality in post-crisis South Korea, a substantial amount of the rise in overall inequality is primarily attributable to rapid increase in within-education-group inequality rather than between-group inequality. This demands renewed attention to the role of education in earnings inequality to fully account for the changing dynamics of inequality in the twenty first century.

Successful Implementation of Comprehensive Packages of Postcardiac Arrest Care After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Single Institution Experience in South Korea.

The survival rate among patients admitted to hospital after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) was generally poor. And the optimal hospital care for patients after OHCA is not exactly known because multiple organ systems are affected. We implemented comprehensive packages of postcardiac arrest care, including therapeutic hypothermia (TH) to improve outcomes in patients with successfully resuscitated from OHCA. All patients with OHCA from January 2009 to September 2010 (intervention period) were included and compared to controls from January 2006 to December 2007 (control period). An adjusted analysis was performed using multivariate regression to test association of outcomes with the package. During the intervention period, 168 patients were brought to the emergency department, 76 patients regained spontaneous circulation, and 41 patients were eligible for TH. Of these 41 patients, 36 (87.8%) ultimately achieved temperatures of <34°C. During the control period, 149 patients were brought to the emergency department, 57 patients regained spontaneous circulation, and 35 patients were eligible for TH. Of these 35 patients, 4 (11.4%) ultimately achieved temperatures of <34°C. In the adjusted analysis, patients admitted during the intervention period demonstrated improved survival (odds ratio: 2.609, 95% confidence interval: 1.318-5.166) and had favorable neurologic outcomes (odds ratio: 3.568, 95% confidence interval: 1.224-10.399) compared with those admitted during the control period. Comprehensive packages of postcardiac arrest care can be successfully implemented in a tertiary teaching hospital. In addition, implementation of TH was associated with significant improvements in survival and neurologic outcomes after OHCA.

Adaptation Experiences in South Korea of Men defecting from North Korea

The study was done to explore meanings and essence of the experience in South Korea of men defectors from North Korea. Data were collected from March, 2011 to May, 2012, through in-depth interviews with ten men defectors. Data analysis was conducted using the process of hermeneutic phenomenological reflection. Eight essential themes were extracted; 'buoyant expectation for a new life', 'feeling guilty about family left behind in North Korea', 'inability to become acclimatized due to communication difficulties', 'inability to socialize with South Koreans due to different lifestyles', 'finding strength through trustworthy acquaintances', 'continuing reconciliation with oneself while trying to assimilate into South Korean culture', 'self-realization of one's original self', and 'continuing to feel out the possibility of a future in South Korea'. The findings indicate that North Korean men who defect to South Korea shape their identity through three phases: forming self-image during escape from North Korea, trying to become accustomed to South Korean society, and finding their own identity by self-realization of their original self. Eventually, the whole process enables them to recover their identity, to feel a sense of belonging, and to discover possibilities for a better future.

Asian forum on environmental health policy: challenges and perspectives of environmental health problems in the region in the next 30 years

Asia is the world’s most populous continent, accomodating circa 3.9 billion people in 48 countries. It is an important player in terms of the environment and world economy, with the second largest gross domestic product of all continents, after Europe. This geographical entity includes many developed countries, such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, and a number of very high growth nations, such as China and India. Its climate is very diverse, ranging from the very moist (southeastern parts) to dry (interior), and very cold (e.g., Siberia) to tropical (southern regions). The countries of this continent not only share—to varying degrees—historical experiences but also the effects of environmental pollution, such as Asian dust storms (ADS). The recent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan has delivered the clear message that although an environmental challenge may be initiated in one specific location, many countries in the region may suffer from the consequences. Global climate change also underlines the fact that environmental issues are often global and, consequently, multi-national collaboration is not an option but a necessity. Environmental health problems cannot be properly resolved if the counter-measures are restricted only to within the political borders. Accurate assessment of the problems and the development of appropriate solutions can best be achieved on a broader, regional scale, by communication and collaboration among those scientists and policy-makers facing the same issues. The past of one country can mirror the present or future situation of another country. Japan, one of the most developed countries in the world, and South Korea, now considered to be a developed country, have experienced very fast economic growth, which has been accompanied by worsening health of its population due to environmental pollution. Ageing has for some time been an important issue in Japanese society and is now also a challenging problem in South Korea. China is the largest economy in Asia and the second largest economy in the world. However, it is now recognizing the adverse consequences of rapid industrialization and development in terms of environmental health. The experiences of South Korea or Japan could help China better prepare for the potential challenges to be faced in terms of environmental health. Such recognition has led to the organization of a long-term platform for communication and collaboration among environmental health experts representing the diverse geographical areas of Asia. The first International Forum for Environmental Health Policy and Science was held in Seoul in November 25, 2011, and delegates from leading academic institutes in Bangkok, Kyoto, Seoul, Taipei, and Wuhan participated. The editorial presents a summary of the motivation for holding this forum, the perspectives of each participant, and future directions that were agreed on, with the intention to encourage other scientists around the region to join in and contribute.

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

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.

A Strategic Model of Economic Performance and Democratization in South Korea and Taiwan

A debate, fanned by the experiences of South Korea and Taiwan, persists over how economic growth leads to democratization. This article provides a theoretical model showing that economic downturns lead to democratization and evaluates the conclusion systematically with data from South Korea and Taiwan. The model and results corroborate the hypothesis that economic downturns motivate government and non-government actors to pursue political reforms and democratization and highlight several contributions. They show democratization as the outcome of strategic responses pursued under weak economic conditions. Further, the findings are robust to alternative specifications of democratization. The results also bring empirics into line with theoretical expectations about democratization while simultaneously revealing that it is not a panacea for lack of support.

Symposium introduction: Dynamics of governance and civic engagement

AbstractThis Introduction sets the scene for the Symposium. It considers the governance value of civic engagement, along with civic engagement as identifiable modes of governance. Such matters are embraced in the subsequent analyses of significant developments and experience in South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong and China. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Education for Young North Korean Migrants: South Koreans’ Ambivalent “Others” and the Challenges of Belonging

This article explores the nature of the difficulties young North Korean migrants experience in South Korea, the ways in which they negotiate these constraints, and in turn how this negotiation shapes their sense of belonging. The wane of the Cold War facilitated globalization, but there are still many things on the ground that remake internal ideological/cultural/political boundaries that mediate against full citizenship. I argue that while young North Korean migrants also are products of the demise of the Cold War, Korean national division and the persistent cold war culture that the division has produced contribute to both their nearly automatic gain of legal membership and their difficulties in achieving full membership. In particular, I examine education as a key context in which these young people experience these regimes of dis/incorporation. Constructed as an ambivalent “other” at schools by peers and teachers based on their stereotypes of North Korea and the transference of these stereotypes to North Korean migrants, these young migrants are struggling to have a sense of belonging by developing various strategies. I suggest considering the disruptions of boundaries and multiple affiliations of these migrants not as signs of disloyalty and threats to social cohesion, but as a source for new visions of identity and belonging that are required to pursue national unification in this multicultural and globalized world.

Clinical outcomes of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS): a single institution experience in South Korea

The purpose of this study was to assess both the short- and long-term functional outcomes of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) in ODS patients. We performed a retrospective review of data that were collected from January 2005 to October 2008. Between January 2005 to June 2006, 58 patients who underwent STARR were enrolled in this study. Follow-up was scheduled for 3 months and 1 year after surgery with the Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF) constipation score and satisfaction grade. To evaluate the long-term functional outcome, we interviewed the patients by telephone using questionnaires for the CCF score and satisfaction grade on October 2008. The median follow-up period was 34 months (range, 27-46 months). The mean age and sex ratio were 54 years (range, 19-85 years) and 8:50 (M/F). The mean CCF constipation scores were 17.6 before the surgery, 9.5 at 3 months, 9.6 at 12 months, and 10.3 at the time of the latest interview. The satisfaction grade, which was rated as excellent and good by 63.4% of the patients at the time of the latest interview, was worse than that at 3 months (37.8%). Among the cases of the excellent group (19 cases) at postoperative 3 months, 13 cases (68.4%) were classified as excellent or good at the time of the latest interview. The STARR is a safe and effective surgical procedure for restoring the anatomy and function in ODS patients. Strict selection of patients is needed in enhancing and maintaining the patients' satisfaction after the procedure.

The effect of health promotion on diagnosis and management of diabetes

BackgroundUndiagnosed disease is one of the critical public health problems in the world. In 2002 South Korea introduced the nation's first comprehensive public health promotion policy, Health Plan 2010. The...

Strategic environmental assessment for dam planning: a case study of South Korea's experience

This paper reviews how strategic environmental assessment (SEA) was integrated into South Korea's Long-Term Plan for Dam Construction (LPDC). It raised the effectiveness of the planning process through feedback of environmental and social results to the plan. The strategic environmental assessment process also improved the inclusion of environmental priorities and factors that could lead to negative public opinion in the evaluation of water supply alternatives and dam construction sites. Strategic environmental assessment created a paradigm shift from functional planning toward sustainable dam planning that considers local situations.

Critical education; speaking the truth, and acting back

El profesor Apple cuenta la experiencia que vivió hace unos años en Corea del Sur, para destacar la importancia y los riesgos de tomar en serio el ser educador crítico, y para señalar que si la teoría y la práctica de la educación crítica se entienden simplemente como un área académica especializada, ampliamente utilizada para efectos de conversión, para ganar movilidad en el campo social del poder académico (Bordieu, 1984), pierden su valor y su poder, pues ellas crecen cuando están íntimamente conectadas con los movimientos sociales y las luchas que les dan vida.

Technological structure and its upgrading in China's exports

Based on several indexes, this article investigates technological upgrading in China's exports. It demonstrates that the whole technological contents of China's exports have been improved dramatically since the early 1980s. In the meantime, the domestic technological contents are likely experiencing a V-curve, i.e. decreasing first and then increasing later. Native enterprises grow faster than their foreign direct investment (FDI) counterparts through ‘learning-by-doing’, and the gap between them is narrowing. It is shown that China's exports have adopted a limited catch-up strategy rather than solely following its comparative advantage. Under the limited catch-up strategy, China exports products with technological contents higher than what was predicted by its comparative advantage. In addition, the experience of South Korea and Taiwan as well as cross-country comparison demonstrates that adopting a limited catch-up strategy is conducive to economic development. We argue that this is what is taking place in China.

A Study on the Problems and Countermeasures of Environmental Pollution Caused by China's Rural Development - Enlightened from the Semaul Movement in Korea -

중국은 개혁개방 이래 농촌지역 경제의 급속 성장에 따라 농촌의 환경문제가 관심의 대상이 되고 있다. 특히 심각한 환경오염은 농촌의 생태, 생산 및 생활 안전에 대해 큰 영향을 미쳐 농촌의 경제와 사회적인 지속 가능한 개발에 대해 매우 중요한 억제요인이 되었다. 중국 농촌 환경오염의 원인을 향진기업(乡镇企业)의 오염 문제, 농업 비점 오염 문제, 대규모 축산업 오염 문제, 생활 오수 및 폐기물의 오염 문제 등을 중심으로 분석하였다. 중국 농촌 환경 문제를 해결하려면 한국의 새마을운동을 거울삼아야 한다. 새마을 운동으로 인해 농촌의 생활환경이 몰라보게 달라졌고 농촌의 가난이 물러가기 시작했으며 국민들의 사고와 행동이 변화되는 조짐을 보였다. 한국의 산림녹화정책의 효과를 중심으로 중국의 환경오염 방지 대책에 대해 살펴봤다. 중국에서 농촌 환경 오염문제를 해결하려면 우선 향진기업의 오염 통제를 강화하고 기업은 합리적인 분배해야 하고, 농업 비점오염의 통제를 강화하고, 생태 농업을 적극적으로 개발해야 하고, 과학적이고 합리적인 축산업 시스템을 구축하고, 가축 배출물에 대한 종합 처리를 위해 간편하고 효율적인 처리기술을 보급하여야 한다. 한국의 새마을 운동과 산림녹화계획 및 친환경 농업 등 성공한 경험으로부터도 좋은 교훈을 얻을 수 있다는 점을 비교행정론적으로 분석하였다.

Corruption's Challenge to Global Governance: A Selective Balance Sheet

Democracy is generally considered to be the most successful form of government. Yet we remain uncertain about its relationship to modernization. What is essential is not democracy but good governance, according to Alexander Pope's challenge. Political Elasticity (PE) theory provides a way of linking public administration to economic success and, in so doing, explaining Asian economic progress in the absence of liberal democracy. Using terminology based upon PE theory, Vietnam, China, and Singapore, in comparison to Ghana, Russia, and Jamaica, have been successful by manifesting classical democracy, rather than liberal democracy, primary, rather than secondary corruption, and elastic, rather than inelastic decentralization. At the conclusion, the experience of South Korea is presented to show that, in the process of reducing corruption by improving governance, it has been able to achieve globalization success, despite using an unorthodox economic approach.