Management In South Korea Research Articles

Current Epidemiological Data on Asthma Management in South Korea from Qualitative Assessment of Asthma Management by Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA).

Since 2015, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) has performed annual qualitative assessments of asthma management provided by all medical institutions that care for asthma patients in Korea. According to the third report of qualitative assessment of asthma management in 2017, the assessment appears to have contributed to improving the quality of asthma care provided by medical institutions, especially primary clinics. However, there is still a gap between the ideal goals of asthma management and actual health care policies/regulations in real clinical settings, which leads to the state of standstill with respect to the quality of asthma management despite considerable efforts such as the qualitative assessment of asthma management by national agencies such as the HIRA. At this point, a harmonized approach is needed to raise the level of asthma management among several components including medical policies, efforts of academic associations such as education and distribution of the guideline for management, and reliable financial support by the government.

Fire Risk Reduction for Folk Villages at Disaster Management in South Korea

Fire Risk Reduction for Folk Villages at Disaster Management in South Korea

Implementation factors and performance of the voluntary agreement(VA) for energy-efficiency management in South Korea - Focusing on the regulatory response and policy learning of the VA facilities -

본 연구는 자발적 협약(VA)에 대한 이론적 논의를 바탕으로 국내에서 시행된 “에너지관리를 위한 자발적 협약(VA)” 체결업체 535개의 VA이행요인과 VA이행실적을 분석하였다. 그 결과, 외부규제압력에 많이 노출되는 업체일수록 VA이행실적이 낮게 나타난 반면, VA체결기간이 길어질수록 VA이행실적이 높게 나타났다. 뿐만 아니라, 환경부의 환경친화기업지정사례를 바탕으로 업체의 환경관리능력과 주요 협회 멤버십보유가 VA이행실적에 미치는 긍정적인 결과를 확인하였다. 이로써 본 연구는 이들 업체의 VA이행메커니즘을 이해하면서 규제대응을 넘어선 정책학습과 내부개선기제로서 자발적 협약(VA)의 제도적 특성과 의의를 논의하였다. 이와 함께 에너지관리를 비롯한 환경관리전반에서 제도적 설계와 운영에 필요한 정부의 역할과 정책적 함의를 제시하였다.

Earnings Management in South Korea: Using Tax Expenses

We expect that tax expenses will provide a last opportunity to meet an earnings target, and involve the complexity and discretion necessary for...

Clinical Practices and Outcomes on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Management in South Korea: Comparison with Asia-Pacific Data of the Pan Australasian Chemotherapy Induced Emesis Burden of Illness Study

PurposeThis study reported patient outcomes of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) prophylaxis for highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) regimens and evaluated its adherence to acute-phase CINV prophylaxis in the Korean population subset of the Pan Australasian Chemotherapy Induced Emesis burden of illness (PrACTICE) study.Materials and MethodsThis subgroup analysis evaluated 158 Korean patients receiving HEC or MEC and compared the data (wherever possible) with that of 648 patients from the Asia-Pacific (AP) region. Study endpoints included evaluation of primary CINV prophylaxis and adherence to acute-phase CINV prophylaxis in cycle 1 (American Society of Clinical Oncology [ASCO] Quality Oncology Practice Initiative [QOPI]).ResultsIn South Korea and the AP, a 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist (5HT3-RA) prophylaxis for the acute phase was administered to 79/80 patients (98.8%) for HEC and 70/71 patients (98.6%) for MEC regimens (QOPI-1). Triple regimen (corticosteroid–5HT3-RA–neurokinin 1-RA) was initiated in 46/80 patients (57.5%) for prophylaxis of acute CINV in cycle 1 of HEC (QOPI-3). Double regimen (corticosteroid–5HT3-RA, with or within NK1-RA) was initiated in 61/71 patients (83.1%) for control of acute CINV in cycle 1 of MEC a(QOPI-2).ConclusionActive management of CINV is necessary in cycle 1 of HEC in South Korea, despite higher rates than the AP region. Adherence to the international guidelines for CINV prophylaxis requires attention in the acute phase in cycle 1 of the HEC regimen.

A comparison of refrigerant management policies and suggestions for improvement in South Korea

HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) emerged as alternative refrigerants after the production of chlorofluorocarbons was banned and hydrochlorofluorocarbons were phased out, under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. However, because the Kyoto Protocol considered HFCs as greenhouse gases, and their impact on climate change has been increasing, major developed countries have been strengthening existing regulations on the use of HFCs as refrigerants. South Korea has also passed various legislations related to refrigerant management. However, reports indicate that implementation of these regulations has been ineffective, due to the absence of a specific system for managing the production, use, and disposal phases of refrigerants. To identify and resolve these issues, this study investigates the current state of refrigerant management in South Korea for those three phases. Refrigerant management policies are compared between different legislatures, using the examples of the European Union, United States, and Japan. Based on the findings, five types of measures are suggested to reduce the production and consumption of refrigerants, and to improve refrigerant management regulations in ways that are most appropriate to the South Korean context.

Cost allocation of river water quality management based on the Separable Cost Remaining Benefit (SCRB) method

This paper presents a cost allocation method that applies the cooperative game theory and the Separable Costs Remaining Benefit method to a project that involves two local governments in water quality management in South Korea. The total project cost was estimated by using a parametric estimation method for reduction loads in accordance with the Total Pollution Load Management system. As a result, the cost allocation ratios between the City of Gwangju and Jeonnam Province are suggested to be 69.85% and 30.15% of the total project cost. The final cost allocation confirms the benefits to both governments and illustrates the cooperative game theory.

A REAL-TIME LOCATION-BASED CONSTRUCTION LABOR SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The construction industry continues to record a high number of accidents compared to other industries. Furthermore, the ramifications of construction accidents are growing in terms of both economic loss and loss of life with trends toward larger-scale, more complex projects. For this reason, there is an increasing awareness of the importance of safety management in the construction industry, and the need for more effective safety management techniques. This paper introduces a real-time location-based construction labor safety management system that tracks and visualizes workers’ locations in real-time and sends early warnings to endangered workers. The system is developed by integrating: a real-time locating system (RTLS) for tracking of workers’ location; a location monitoring system for mapping the workers location on a computerized building model; and alarm technology for sending early warnings. The developed system has been applied to an apartment project and an RTLS technology test center in Korea, and proved to be effective in tracking and monitoring workers in real-time and preventing construction accidents. It is envisioned that the developed system will enable proactive construction safety management in South Korea and the methodologies developed in this study will be applicable to other contexts with minimal customization.

Establishment of government-initiated comprehensive stroke centers for acute ischemic stroke management in South Korea.

In 2008, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea initiated the Regional Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) program to decrease the incidence and mortality of stroke nationwide. We evaluated the performance of acute ischemic stroke management after the Regional CSC program was introduced. The Ministry of Health and Welfare established 9 Regional CSCs in different provinces from 2008 to 2010. All Regional CSCs have been able to execute the critical processes independently for stroke management since 2011. The Ministry of Health and Welfare was responsible for program development and financial support, the Regional CSC for program execution, and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for auditing the execution. We analyzed prospectively collected data on the required indices from 2011 and repeated the analysis the following year for comparison. After the Regional CSCs were established, the first brain image was taken within 1 hour from arrival at the emergency room for all patients with stroke; the length of hospital stay decreased from 14 to 12 days; for the rapid execution of thrombolysis, the first brain image was taken within 12 minutes; intravenous and intra-arterial thrombolysis were started within 40 and 110 minutes, respectively, after emergency room arrival; and the hospital stay of thrombolytic patients decreased from 19 to 15 days. The Regional CSC program has improved the performance of acute stroke management in South Korea and can be used as a model for rapidly improving stroke management.

Older adults' perception of chronic illness management in South Korea.

Objectives:Despite the recent emphasis on a patient-centered chronic care model, few studies have investigated its use in older adults in South Korea. We explored how older Korean adults perceive and cope with their chronic illness.Methods:We conducted focus group interviews in Seoul, Korea in January 2010. Focus groups were formed by disease type (hypertension and type 2 diabetes) and gender using purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 60 and over who had been diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension and received care at a community health center for at least six months prior to participation. Interview data were analyzed through descriptive content analysis.Results:Among personal factors, most participants felt overwhelmed when they received their diagnosis. However, with time and control of their acute symptoms using medication, their worry diminished and participants tended to denying being identified as a patient or sick person. Among socio-familial factors, participants reported experiencing stigma with their chronic illness and feeling it was a symbol of weakness. Instead of modifying their lifestyles, which might interfere with their social relationships, they resorted to only following their medicine regime prescribed by their doctor. Participants also reported feeling that their doctor only prescribed medications and acted in an authoritative and threatening manner to induce and reinforce participants’ compliance with treatment.Conclusions:For successful patient-centered management of chronic illnesses, supportive environments that include family, friends, and healthcare providers should be established.

Roles and effects of pyroprocessing for spent nuclear fuel management in South Korea

Republic of Korea (ROK) changed its spent nuclear fuel policy from the once-through usage and direct disposal to a total system approach that includes pyroprocessing, sodium-cooled fast reactors, and a two-tier geological repository to achieve a breakthrough for domestic deadlock situation and thus enable sustainable utilization of nuclear power, but caused disagreement in the bilateral negotiation with the United States (US) for the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.Analysis has revealed that this shift is effective to make a breakthrough for domestic deadlock because it augments variety of technological options, with which more reversible decision-making process can be conducted to accommodate broad public needs. A trade-off has been explored first by deriving four engineering options from the ROK's system concept and then by comparing their performance from six viewpoints. The option including separation of high-heat emitting radionuclides by the electrolytic reduction process has been recommended.This option should be modified as exogenous and endogenous situations change in future. It is imperative for ROK to integrate a public-participatory decision-making process that works in concert with technology development. US can verify that ROK's motivation is not deviating from successful spent fuel management by checking if a transparent process with public participation is conducted.

Infrastructure asset management system for bridge projects in South Korea

While there have been many studies on life cycle cost analysis and preventive maintenance planning, this study proposes an innovative method of bridge asset management in South Korea. Two different levels of approaches were used in this study. First, in the level of bridge elements, deterioration modeling and optimized maintenance repair and rehabilitation (MR&R) planning on bridge assets are proposed, using the bridge historical data of Han River in the city of Seoul. Second, the network level of bridge asset management is suggested, using historical MR&R cost and budget, overall-condition assessment results, and health index data. These two levels of approaches were developed into an Internet-based application so that facility managers can use them to review their past budgets and to plan their future budget based on historical data.

폐유 및 액상연료 공정 폐기물에서 무기물질류의 함량특성

국내 유해폐기물의 적정 관리를 위해 폐유 및 액상연료 공정에서 발생한 폐기물 중 규제 무기물질류의 배출특성을 조사하였다. 사업장은 올바로시스템에 등록된 폐기물 배출업체를 대상으로, 유럽폐기물 분류체계(EWC, European Waste Catalogue)의 폐유 및 액상연료 공정(EWC 13)과 유사한 폐기물 발생업체를 선정하였다. 조사대상 사업장 37 개 업체를 현지 방문하여 원료, 생산제품, 생산 공정, 폐기물의 종류 및 배출과정을 조사하고 생산 공정에서 배출되는 51 개의 폐기물을 채취하여 무기물질류 16 항목(Cd, Pb, Cu, Hg, As, CN, Cr, <TEX>$Cr^{6+}$</TEX>, Ba, Be, F, Ni, Sb, Se, V, Zn)에 대한 함량분석을 수행하였다. 분석결과, 모든 공정에서 발생된 폐기물에서 주로 Sb가 검출되었고, 6~419(평균 98) mg/kg의 농도 범위를 나타내었다. EWC 판정 절차를 통해 국내 폐유 및 액상연료 공정에서 발생된 폐기물을 판정한 결과, EWC 중분류 24공정 중 절대유해폐기물로 분류해서 관리해야할 공정은 16 개, 상대유해폐기물로 관리가 필요한 공정은 8 개로 판단되었다. 폐기물의 배출특성을 통해 유해물질 함유 자료를 확보하고 폐기물 목록에 대한 데이터베이스를 구축함으로써 유해폐기물의 안전처리를 통한 환경오염을 방지할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. This study was performed to investigate the contents characteristics of hazardous oil wastes and wastes of liquid fuels from different industrial process. In order to establish a hazardous waste list, samples of various industrial discharge have been analyzed for 16 non-regulated inorganic hazardous substances (i.e., Cu, Pb, Cd, CN, Hg, As, T-Cr, <TEX>$Cr^{6+}$</TEX>, Sb, Ni, F, V, Ba, Zn, Be, Se). In more detail, hazardous waste samples including waste hydraulic oils, waste engine, gear and lubricating oils, waste insulating and heat transmission oils, bilge oils, oil/water separator contents processing were collected from 37 workplaces and analyzed. We observed that the most of the inorganic substances exceeded the proposed criteria in many samples. Especially the concentration of Sb in heat transmission oil, bilge oil and gear & lubricating oils were ranged from 6 to 419 mg/kg whereas the proposed criteria is 50 mg/kg. The assessment result of hazardous waste in Korea according to the EWC showed that the out of 24 processes, 16 belongs to absolute entry and 8 belongs to mirror entry. In conclusion, we expect the outcome of this study to align the classification system of hazardous waste management in South Korea with international legislations, and consequently contribute to reduce environmental pollution as well as health risks by toxic wastes.

Future directions of chronic disease management in South Korea

In Korea, the proportion of medical costs due to chronic diseases among total health care expenditures is increasing rapidly. This trend calls for immediate countermeasures. In the major developed countries in Europe, a gatekeeper system has been adopted at the national level as a universal policy to manage and prevent chronic disease. In South Korea, insurers and local governments offer management programs to individuals with chronic disease and metabolic syndrome under the Korean government's Health Plan 2020, but these programs are fragmented and there are some related limitations. The role of the national government is very important to overcome this problem because the chronic disease management systems of other players (insurers, local governments) must be integrated. In addition, the expert patients program, which is intended to improve the self-care skills of chronic disease patients, needs to be better promoted. Incentives should include "mileage programs" in which patients can accumulate points for successful self-care. It is also important to increase public awareness through large-scale promotional campaigns. Finally, it is necessary to raise funds to conduct national-level campaigns and provide incentives to patients, and to ensure that all processes establish an organic cooperation system. Such practices will maximize the positive effects of a nationwide chronic disease management system in South Korea.

Wildlife forensics using mitochondrial DNA sequences: Species identification based on hairs collected in the field and confiscated tanned Felidae leathers

To identify species based on samples without recognizable morphological characteristics, DNA-based approaches are the best option. Here, we describe two cases of the determination of species and geographical origin of wildlife specimens under the regulation of international treaties and domestic laws related to wildlife management in South Korea. First, hairs of suspected wild or reared endangered Asiatic black bears were analyzed using cytochrome oxidase I and the control region. Confiscated Felidae leathers were also investigated using cytochrome b, but they were proven to be fabricated canine leathers. These results were used as scientific evidence for wildlife-related law enforcement. Our results suggest that unrecognizable wildlife specimens can be identified efficiently using DNA sequence-based analysis. Finally, this study shows that conservation genetics research and its applications can be incorporated into wildlife forensic studies.

국내 도료공정 발생 폐기물 중 미규제 중금속류의 배출특성

This study was performed to investigate the contents and leaching characteristics of hazardous wastes from the paint industry. In order to establish a hazardous waste list, samples from industrial discharge have been analyzed for 8 non-regulated inorganic hazardous substances (i.e., Sb, Ni, F, V, Ba, Zn, Be, Se). In more detail, hazardous waste samples from a total of 64 workplaces, e.g. manufacture, formulation, supply and use (MFSU) of coatings, adhesives, sealants and printing inks processing, have been chosen and analyzed. Contents and leaching tests for inorganic metal species in samples show that the non-regulated hazardous substances satisfy all the criteria, while quantitative analyses reveal that some samples of the discharged wastes exceeded the criteria proposed by NIER (National Instituted of Environmental Research). In conclusion, we expect the outcome of this study to align the classification system of hazardous waste management in South Korea with international legislations, and consequently contribute to reduce environmental pollution as well as health risks by toxic wastes.

Perspectives on the new National Ecological Institute in South Korea

The Ministry of Environment of South Korea has launched its plan to establish the National Ecological Institute. An International Symposium and Workshop was held at Ewha Womans University in Seoul on Thursday, 30 September 2010, to strengthen international cooperation, networking and partnerships for the conservation of biodiversity. This symposium was attended by experts of many major institutions for biodiversity conservation from South Korea and overseas. At the symposium and workshop preceded by a keynote speech by the renowned primatologist and conservation biologist Jane Goodall the participants discussed a wide range of topics including "biodiversity conservation: in situ and ex situ approaches", "conservation of species diversity and ecosystem management", and "international cooperation for biodiversity conservation and research". As a basis for future discussions, this article summarizes how the National Ecological Institute might contribute most effectively to public life and environmental management in South Korea and worldwide. It addresses the following issues: governance and funding, synergies within Korea, participation in international networks, external advice, a broad view of ecological issues, research agenda, building on identity, public outreach, and training the next generation of scientists.

A GIS-based national emission inventory of major VOCs and risk assessment modeling: Part II — quantitative verification and risk assessment using an air dispersion model

We compiled contour maps of the concentrations of major volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and corresponding chronic inhalation and carcinogenic risks in South Korea for the year 2004. We used the CALPUFF modeling system, an atmospheric dispersion model, to calculate the concentrations of five species of VOCs (benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, toluene, and xylene). This modeling approach was used to validate the emission rates estimated in Part I of this study. The predicted concentrations show good overall agreement with the observed concentrations. In terms of risk assessment, we studied the chronic and carcinogenic effects on human health based on toxicity data and predicted concentrations of VOCs in ambient air. Risk levels were influenced by regional characteristics and spatial emission patterns. The results of such risk assessments could be used in support of air quality management in South Korea.

A decision‐analysis approach for contaminated dredged material management in South Korea

To meet London Protocol requirements, South Korea is preparing to reduce the need for disposal of dredged material at sea. The new requirements controlling ocean disposal of dredged material pose significant challenges to the South Korean government, because the previous practice of offshore disposal of contaminated dredged material is no longer permitted. Hence, other alternatives for treating and disposing of contaminated dredged material are being evaluated and selected for implementation. A new management and decision approach is therefore needed for regulators and implementers to show what information and what decision-making processes were used to make the decision, to increase administrative transparency for such projects in the public domain. To address this need, an iterative approach was developed for dredged material management that includes the essential elements of process, people, and tools needed for successful environmental decision making. The approach has 6 steps: problem definition, developing objectives and criteria, identifying alternatives, performing the evaluation, comparing alternatives, and selecting the preferred alternative. The primary objective of the approach is to provide a systematic means of exploring contaminated dredged material management alternatives in South Korea using criteria that integrate risk with economic and stakeholder value information. The approach incorporates the desired decision-making attributes of transparency, comparative analysis, and inclusion of public input. Although it was developed for South Korea, the approach can be applied in any situation in which dredged material management alternatives are being considered to manage contaminated sediment risks.

Quality as a reflection of innovation? Quality management in the Korean government

Quality management generally implies all the activities that are intended to bring about the desired level of quality. In order to improve the quality of a product or service in both private and public sectors, quality management has been exercised for a long time and broadly applied in various organizations. As many new buzz words emerge in both business and public management, however, it seems that its popularity has declined. Is quality management dead? Not really. Quality is a fundamental ingredient in innovation so it must not be disregarded, although there might be fluctuations in its popularity. This study reviews the developmental status of quality management in South Korea by looking at its status and conceptual changes from historical and comparative perspectives. Historically, quality management in modern Korea was influenced by Japanese and American practices. In a comparative perspective, however, European influence on quality management was not salient in Korea.Points for practitionersMore buzz words or fads will be generated by issue entrepreneurs and business consultants. However, quality management will not fade away. Continuous improvement is an endless open-ended journey, as is quality management. It is fair to say that the need for government reform and innovation will never be exhausted. Therefore, the importance of quality management will be a continuing reality in the future, perhaps with some adjustment of its rhetoric or riding on an irresistible wave of reform for adaptation. Quality has been reflected through innovation, and vice versa.