Korean Military Research Articles

Trends in Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in the Korean Military Before and After the Emergence of the Omicron Variant.

BackgroundDue to the higher transmissibility and increased immune escape of the omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has skyrocketed in the Republic of Korea. Here, we analyzed the change in trend of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Korean military after the emergence of the omicron variant on December 5, 2021.MethodsAn interrupted time-series analysis was performed of the daily number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Korean military from September 1, 2021 to April 10, 2022, before and after the emergence of the omicron variant. Moreover, the daily number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Korean military and in the population of Korean civilians adjusted to the same with military were compared.ResultsThe trends of COVID-19 occurrence in the military after emergence of the omicron variant was significantly increased (regression coefficient, 23.071; 95% confidence interval, 16.122–30.020; P < 0.001). The COVID-19 incidence rate in the Korean military was lower than that in the civilians, but after the emergence of the omicron variant, the increased incidence rate in the military followed that of the civilian population.ConclusionThe outbreak of the omicron variant occurred in the Korean military despite maintaining high vaccination coverage and intensive non-pharmacological interventions.

Analyses of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Among Korean Military Personnel After Mass Vaccination.

BackgroundThe military was one of the first groups in Korea to complete mass vaccination against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to their high vulnerability to COVID-19. To confirm the effect of mass vaccination, this study analyzed the patterns of confirmed cases within Korean military units.MethodsFrom August 1 to September 15, 2021, all epidemiological data regarding confirmed COVID-19 cases in military units were reviewed. The number of confirmed cases in the units that were believed to have achieved herd immunity (i.e., ≥ 70% vaccination) was compared with the number of cases in the units that were not believed to have reached herd immunity (< 70% vaccination). Additionally, trends in the incidence rates of COVID-19 in the military and the entire Korean population were compared.ResultsBy August 2021, 85.60% of military personnel were fully vaccinated. During the study period, a total of 174 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the 39 units. More local transmission (herd immunity group vs. non-herd immunity group [%], 1 [0.91] vs. 39 [60.94]) and hospitalizations (12 [11.01] vs. 13 [27.08]) occurred in the units that were not believed to have achieved herd immunity. The percentage of fully vaccinated individuals among the confirmed COVID-19 cases increased over time, possibly due to the prevalence of the delta variant. Nevertheless, the incidence rate remained lower in military units than in the general Korean population.ConclusionAfter completing mass vaccination, the incidence rates of COVID-19 infection in the military were lower than those in the national population. New cluster infections did not occur in vaccinated units, thereby suggesting that herd immunity has been achieved in these military units. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which levels of non-pharmacological intervention can be reduced in the future.

SWOT 분석을 통한 전자기스펙트럼작전 기술발전 연구

The future battlefield transforms to an MDO(multi domain operation) strategy centered to U.S. breaks the stereo-framework between the physical and virtual realms of the battlefield. Accordingly, numerous transcendental strategies of merging and collaboration have emerged. In this study, we identify and propose the future technologies necessary for EMSO(electro magnetic spectrum operation) development to enable efficient MDO performance of the future Korean military. Here, the proposal uses a SWOT analysis, a strategic analysis method, to deal with various internal and external effect factors the Korean military encounters.

A study on the application of RMF for weapon systems in Korea

With the advent of the Fourth Revolution, military weapon systems are also being advanced. In particular, as the proportion of software embedded in these weapon systems increases, the cyber vulnerabilities of advanced weapon systems also gradually increase. If cutting-edge weapons stop abruptly or malfunction owing to software defects or cyberattacks, they will adversely affect defense security as well as combat power and economic losses. The U.S. DoD is implementing the risk management framework (RMF) to cope with cyber vulnerabilities and threats. RMF is a risk management (RM)-based framework that classifies the cyber vulnerabilities of weapon systems based on data and evaluates them according to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The application of RMF to the Korean military's weapon-system acquisition procedure is still in its infancy. In this study, we studied the application of the RMF to weapon acquisition processors in the U.S. DoD and suggested that measures of availability, reliability, and safety that can affect weapon performance should be managed with security, and that security systems should be applied to reliability, availability, and maintenance (RAM).

US Researchers' Discourse and Reinterpretation of International Relation Theory on the 5‧18 Democratization Movement

This essay reinterprets the United States Government s role and responsibility of 5·18 democratization movement on the basis of academic products and presents new topics and research methods. For this, I study and analyze the preceding materials such as books and articles about the relationship between 5·18 and the United States. And then, I analyze the attitude of the US Government toward the New Korean Military Force of 1980s from the angel of international relations. Through the analysis of the reference, the Government and Americans have different ideas about the condition there. This research of the relationship between the the Korean and US Government up to the date around the sensational events like 5·18 democratization movement is expected to illuminate the American pragmatic and realist policy rather than the democratic justice, which might be understandable on the condition of reciprocal interaction.

The Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sociosexual Behaviors in the South Korean Military Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACTIntroductionThis study evaluated the epidemiological factors of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among South Korean troops including the prevalence, therapeutic methods, and sexual risk behaviors.Material and MethodsThe medical records of the STIs diagnosed troops at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital (AFCH) for 36 months (between January 2018 and December 2020) were retrospectively reviewed. The data collection for the study began after obtaining research approvals from the institutional ethics committee of AFCH. The patients were classified into two subgroups, pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19 groups. The clinical parameters of the patients including STI-related symptoms and underlying diseases were analyzed. The sociosexual conduct of the two study groups was evaluated and compared by using a survey questionnaire.ResultsOverall, 138 STI patients with mean age of 21.2 years were included (pre-COVID-19: 106 patients/COVID-19: 32 patients). 32.6% of the patients received college education before the military service. Regarding previous history of STIs, 24 patients (17.4%) had previous experience of STIs, which occurred before participation in the current study. Initial urine analysis results showed that 95 (68.8%) and 79 patients (57.2%) showed pyuria and bacteriuria, respectively. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (29.7%) was the most commonly identified pathogen. Each pathogen was treated with the therapies recommended by the current treatment guidelines, and no patient showed any recurrence of the disease during follow-up. Both pre-COVID-19 (91.5%) and COVID-19 (93.8%) groups showed high rates of binge drinking during off-duty. The pre-COVID-19 group had a greater number of patients (21.7%) having multiple sex partners (during the past 12 months) than the COVID-19 group (15.6%). The COVID-19 group had 18.8% of the troops involved in sexual activity even after the onset of STI-related clinical symptoms, whereas the rate was significantly higher than 2.8% of the pre-COVID-19 group (P = .001). The COVID-19 groups showed a significantly higher number of patients (four patients, 12.5%) experiencing suicidal ideation than the pre-COVID-19 group (two patients, 1.9%) (P = .010). Both groups showed <40% of condom use rates at the last sexual intercourse.ConclusionThe soldiers with STIs showed high rates of binge alcohol consumption, while the rates of engaging in safe sex by using condoms are markedly low. Although the COVID-19 group was under influence of social distancing and military base lockdown, the soldiers’ sociosexual conduct was not significantly different in the pre-COVID-19 group. The importance of education on alcohol misuse and safe sexual relationships should be taken more seriously within the military.

Chemical Properties of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils from a Korean Military Shooting Range: Evaluation of Pb Sources Using Pb Isotope Ratios

In this study, the geochemical properties of heavy metal-contaminated soils from a Korean military shooting range were analyzed. The chemical behavior of heavy metals was determined by analyzing the soil pH, heavy metal concentration, mineral composition, and Pb isotopes. In total, 24 soil samples were collected from a Korean military shooting range. The soil samples consist of quartz, albite, microcline, muscovite/illite, kaolinite, chlorite, and calcite. Lead minerals, such as hydrocerussite and anglesite, which are indicative of a transformation into secondary mineral phases, were not observed. All soils were strongly contaminated with Pb with minor concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cd, and Zn. Arsenic was rarely detected. The obtained results are indicated that the soils from the shooting range are contaminated with heavy metals and have evidences of different degree of anthropogenic Pb sources. This study is crucial for the evaluation of heavy metal-contaminated soils in shooting ranges and their environmental effect as well as for the establishment of management strategies for the mitigation of environmental risks.

Race, transnational militarism, and neocoloniality: The politics of the THAAD deployment in South Korea

This article explores the neglected connection between race and militarism by focusing on a US missile defense system deployed in South Korea. In September of 2017, the two countries installed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in a rural village. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, this missile defense system was to protect South Korea from attacks by North Korea. The system is integral to US global military strategy, but from the perspective of human security, its benefits are dubious at best. By drawing on a theory of the ‘racial state’ and critical studies of the US empire-state, the article examines two fundamental practices of the neocolonial military relation between the two states: wartime Operational Control of the South Korean military and extraterritoriality of US bases in South Korea. It argues that these neocolonial practices in which the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system deployment is embedded reflect ‘the historicist racial ruling’ that denies self-rule for Koreans and its internalization by Koreans who support the unequal military relation. It also analyzes how the South Korean racial state promotes internal homogeneity and otherizes North Korea to bolster national security through the missile defense system.

군용 소화기류 시험평가 발전방안

Purpose: Until now, the Korean military has not been able to effectively establish and apply the concept of the effective range. Therefore, disagreements have often arisen pertaining to the documents required for weapons, and several concerns have been raised in terms of the project management and test evaluation. Therefore, in this study, the problems occurring in the test and evaluation phases were analyzed, and improvement measures were recommended, focusing on the components of the effective range.<BR>Methods: The concept of effective range in Korea and the United States, as well as the contents specified in the national defense standard, were investigated, and the controversial aspects regarding the firearms developed by us were analyzed.<BR>Results: The components of the effective range mainly pertain to the penetration power and accuracy rate. The penetration power can be enhanced according to the development period of the weapons and ammunition. The accuracy rate is primarily considered to formulate a rational plan for the target size.<BR>Conclusion: The application of the recommended improvement plan can likely increase the reliability of the project management and test and evaluation in the Korean military framework.

Le sentiment ethnique coréen, han恨, et sa fonction de guérison psychosociale dans le contexte historique de l’Asie de l’Est du XVIIe siècle

"Ethnic sentiment sheds light on a peculiarity of the Korean soul as a collective imagination, which is often explained through the word han (恨). To understand one of its historical elements, the biographical account of the Korean military Kim Yŏngchŏl interests us: the suffering of the character is linked to the historical context of East Asia of the 17th century and his feelings about the meaning of the word han are different from those of Emperor Nurhachi."

군용 소형 회전익무인기 감항인증기준에 대한 연구

In modern society, the use of small rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones is increasing. As the military considers tactics using drones, demand for drones is increasing. However, there is still no airworthiness certification standard for drones for safety. In this paper, we proposed airworthiness certification standards for small rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicles based on CS-LURS in Europe and STANG-4703, 4738 (draft) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In addition, airworthiness certification standards have been strengthened through the case of unmanned aerial vehicle accidents in operation by the Korean military. The airworthiness certification standards for small rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles will be supplemented through a demonstration project.

Characteristics of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients in Korean Military Hospitals During Non-War Years

Characteristics of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients in Korean Military Hospitals During Non-War Years

Suggestions for ROK’s Building Space Power as PUBLIC VALUES

Purpose: The study aims to examine the strategies and trends of military space power in neighboring countries and derive implications for ROK’s building space Power. This article tackles both conceptual and empirical dimensions of this topic through a series of four linked questions: (1)What is Sun Tzu s Strategy and how does it relate to space; (2)What is neighboring state s space strategy surrounding the Korean Peninsula?; (3)What kind of implications can we draw from the neighboring countries space strategy?; (4)What are policy alternatives for the ROK to build space power? Method: For better analysis By using the Sun Tzu s five fundamental factors(do[道] the way, cheon[天] seasons, chi[地] terrain, cheng[將] leadership, and beub[法] management), a factor that predicts the success or failure of a strategic plan, this study attempted to draw implications and policy alternatives for the ROK by looking at the cases of military space force construction in neighboring countries. Sun Tzu introduces this as the docheonchichengbeub . Results: The policy options for the ROK military by applying Sun Tzu s Osa(五事) as follows. First, In terms of Do(道), the Moon Jae-in government has a strong will to build a foundation for strengthening space power under the responsible defense policy for the early return of wartime operational control. Currently, Korea s space power remains insignificant compared to neighboring countries. Efforts should be made to lay the foundation for the creation of an advanced space force by sharing such a vision with the leader. Second, the construction of space power in the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan surrounding the Korean Peninsula is gradually intensified as the factors of Cheon(天) and Chi(地). Therefore, there is a need for South Korea to create a road map for the construction of space power and implement positive space power building policies. Third, as a factor of Cheng(將), the Korean military has many problems to be improved in terms of organization, institutional maintenance, education, and technology development for space power. Fourth, to develop military space power in terms of the establishment of a policy base, laws and systems supporting space development shall be reorganized, and at the same time, the con-cept of space strategy and operational doctrine shall be developed, a defensive deterrent alliance strat-egy suitable for mid-sized countries, and a space power construction plan has to be established to util-ize space power centered on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Conclusion: It is required to strengthen the agility of operations by increasing the linkage between unmanned systems and satellites for the enhancement of public values such as saving lives in the emer-gency. Hence, it is suggested that the launch of a small satellite that are equipped with a high-performance optical camera has to be carried out earlier than scheduled. To respond to North Korea s ballistic missile threats, it is requested to expand high-resolution military reconnaissance satellite as-sets which are equipped with early warning capabilities.

Consideration of the Necessity of Coaching the Korean MILITARY in the Pendemic Era

Purpose: It is the era of talking about post-corona beyond the corona era. Corona is having a rapid impact on society as a whole. Many scholars predict that the pandemic will not stop as a single event;but will become daily life with a different name. With the rapid development of various media such as working from home and social media;it has become an era that requires more individual initiative. Coaching can be the most needed skill in this pandemic era. Social interest in coaching is also increasing. The pandemic is further increasing the need for coaching. In this paper;we look at the research trend of coaching in the times;and especially suggest implications for coaching research methods in the military. Method: In order to understand the research trends in the field of coaching;this study searched for doctoral dissertations on the RISS site of the Korea Education and Research Information Service. As a result;papers from 1992 to January 2021 were searched. The reason for the study of the doctoral dissertation is that it was judged that targeting the research results of researchers who entered the academic field as official experts provides data on stable re-search trends. First;489 doctoral dissertations were searched;and through content analysis;doctoral dissertations with “coaching” were selected and compressed into a total of 210. The 210 papers were categorized through content analysis. Trend analysis through content analysis has the advantage of being able to implicitly show the research trend of a specific discipline. Afterwards;the selected papers were classified by period;research field;and major re-search field;and the trend of research was analyzed. Results: As a result of the analysis;the number of dissertations related to coaching has increased since 10;and exceeded 23 publications in 16. By research area;53 in the field of education;53 in the field of education;40 in the field of sports;37 in the field of business;21 in general coaching;23 in medicine;18 in religion;9 in public institutions;and 6 in career management. Was. The main research fields were 63 papers related to the ching program;41 coaching leadership papers;9 scale development papers;and 1 leadership coaching paper. In the case of public organizations;the number of papers decreases when compared to other fields;and in par-ticular;military-related research was confirmed in three cases: coaching program development;effectiveness analysis;and coaching competency model development. Conclusion: Coaching requires active research and application in the military as well as the private sector. To this end;future research is necessary to expand the quantitative expansion of military-related coaching;group coaching and group coaching;etc.;research in connection with group coaching and organizational cul-ture improvement;and development of a coaching program for all executives. Finally;through the develop-ment of a leadership coaching diagnostic tool that reflects the characteristics of each group;we measure the current level of leaders and propose research and development of educational programs.

Analysis of Electronic Warfare Capability of the People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF): Its Impacts and Implications on Korean Security

This paper analyzes the electronic warfare capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF), established in 2015 in China. Based on the investigation, this paper aims to examine the impacts of electronic warfare capabilities of PLASSF on South Korea as well as the implications for Korean security. The core mission of the PLASSF is to perform space, cyber, electronic, and psychological warfare. Under the Network Systems Department of the PLASSF, the units for electronic warfare operates ground-based equipment, (un) manned aircraft, and electronic warfare satellites. Based on this fact, this paper argues the impacts of the PLASSF’s electronic warfare capabilities are threefold: First, the PLASSF’s manned electronic aircraft allows them to collect the electronic intelligence regarding the major military equipment not only of the Korean military but of the U.S. Forces in Korea. Second, it is also expected that the PLASSF would conduct electronic warfare activities very close to the Korean Peninsula by utilizing its unmanned stealth electronic aircraft. Third, the PLASSF is highly likely to gather signals intelligence from space via electronic warfare satellites. In this regard, it is necessary for the Korean military to 1) develop a more concrete concept of electronic warfare; 2) explore the ways to refuse China’s electronic information collection; and 3) secure the electronic warfare countermeasure weapons system.

미래 한국군 예비전력 정책발전 방안 연구

본 연구의 목적은 향후 인구구조 변화, 과학기술 발전 등 미래 트렌드(trend)와 관련된 주요 변수들의 영 향에 따른 안보전략환경의 변화 방향을 가늠하고, 육군 예비전력분야에서의 대응 소요를 조기에 식별하여 선제적 인 정책개발 및 정책추진역량 강화를 위한 토대를 마련하는 것이다. 본고에서는 총체전력(total force)의 관점에서 ‘군사동원을 통해 전력화할 수 있는 전력 중 인적·물적 자원’이라는 협의의 예비전력 개념을 다루었다. 이를 위하 여, 본고에서는 대한민국 예비전력 운용 관련 쟁점 사안을 분석하는 것에 중점을 두었으며, 미래트렌드 주요 변수 (STEPPER)에 따른 안보전략환경 변화 전망, 안보전략환경의 변화가 병력동원 규모에 미치는 영향 등을 검토하 였으며 그에 따른 한국군에 적용 가능한 미래 예비군 정책에 관한 시사점을 도출하여 제시하였다.

A Qualitative Study on the Experience of Military Life and Ministry of Korean Christian Female Military Pastors

The purpose of this study was to understand who female military pastors are in the Korean military and examine their military lives and ministry experiences through in-depth interviews and qualitative analysis. Six of the eight female military pastors currently working participated in this study. Seven major themes were identified: motivation to apply, role confusion and ambiguity, token women in the Korean military, perceived barriers or bias, equality experience, lack of network or mentor, and work and family balance. This study was helpful for obtaining a deeper understanding of female military pastors who exist as a minority in the Korean military. This study also provides basic information for the seminary education of future female military pastors and policies for female leaders working in the Korean military.

Prison Narratives: The Year in South Korea

Prison NarrativesThe Year in South Korea Heui-Yung Park (bio) One of the most significant roles that life narratives have played in South Korea has been giving voice to those who have suffered social injustice and want to be heard. Lifewriting texts often serve as trial sites outside the legal systems, where writers can tell their stories to the reader without judicial authority being present. In their prison narratives, Im Pang-gyu1 and Ch'oe Sŏ-wŏn2 both turn to autobiographical representation beyond the jurisdiction of the court to present their cases in public and to disclose the injustice that they believe they have suffered. This year's essay examines how Im's Pijŏnhyang changgisu Im Pang-gyu chasŏjŏn (2019) and Ch'oe's Na nŭn nugu in'ga: Ch'oe Sŏ-wŏn okchung hoeogi (2020) defend their writers, and try to convince others of their innocence. Im was a pro-North prisoner for more than thirty years who rejected conversion to democracy following his imprisonment during the Korean War (1950–1953). His autobiography describes how he became a ppalch'isan—a communist guerrilla—who fought against the Korean military and its allies during the war. Ch'oe, on the other hand, was accused of manipulating state affairs during the presidency of Park Geun-hye, the eighteenth president of South Korea. Telling her own story in the form of a memoir, she denies all such accusations. Im's and Ch'oe's prison narratives—in which each makes a case for themselves—show how recently published South Korean life writing has spoken for those who feel they have been mistreated, offering "a forum of judgment in which the subject may achieve a control over [their] story that [they] would not hold in court" (Gilmore 696). Outside the judicial system, Im's and Ch'oe's autobiographical representations enable them to speak for themselves, presenting their own stories that differ from what others assume they know. In so doing, their life narratives turn into alternative venues for telling the truth about themselves and seeking out justice. Examining these narratives, however, should also remind us of Paul John Eakin's proposal "to think of ethics as the deep subject of autobiographical discourse" ("Introduction" 6). Im's Pijŏnhyang changgisu works to correct the [End Page 91] stereotypical, negative views of unconverted communist prisoners—most of whom have suffered long-term imprisonment and state violence—and addresses the ethics of these laws. But Ch'oe's also raises questions about the amount of truth in the information provided to the public, and can therefore lead us to think about the ethical responsibilities of the autobiographer, and especially when demanding justice. Looking into these prison narratives sheds light on the empowering roles that life writing can offer these prisoners, and more generally, on the ethics of writing one's own life story. Unconverted Long-term Prisoners: National Heroes or Enemies? Pijŏnhyang changgisu (unconverted long-term prisoners in Korea) refers to those who have been imprisoned for an extensive period (the majority for more than thirty years) for maintaining their socialist ideology, or for participating in communist activities in South Korea since the 1945 liberation of the country. Im Pang-gyu was a communist imprisoned for twenty years (1952–1972) for his participation in a communist guerrilla unit. Five years after his release, he was reimprisoned without trial because he had refused to convert to democracy. While serving an additional twelve years (1977–1989), Im and other unconverted inmates were exposed to so-called conversion "maneuvering" imposed by the state in the form of physical abuse. Published years after Im's 1989 release, Pijŏnhyang changgisu Im Pang-gyu chasŏjŏn reveals the unfair treatment long-term prisoners like Im experienced, and also tries to change defamatory preconceptions about them by presenting their life stories. In South Korea, ppalch'isan and those with communist ideologies have aroused fear and hatred among people influenced by Cold War, anti-communist ideology. The still-famous story of nine-year-old Yi Sŭng-bok—reportedly killed in 1968 by armed North spies because he shouted "I...

Comparative Study of Korean and Chinese Military Terms

Comparative Study of Korean and Chinese Military Terms

Risk and Protection Factors for Suicidality in Korean Military Officers

Risk and Protection Factors for Suicidality in Korean Military Officers