People In Seoul Research Articles

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Potential impact and correlation with asthma

BackgroundNon-pharmaceutical interventions have been implemented globally to control the COVID-19 pandemic and have been shown to alleviate both allergies and respiratory infections. Although mask-wearing is an accepted non-pharmaceutical intervention, the effects of social distancing have not been thoroughly evaluated. ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of social distancing on asthma trends in Seoul, South Korea. MethodsThis study included data from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea, covering approximately 10 million people in Seoul. Daily and monthly data of patients with asthma from 2018 to 2021 were examined, and the degree of social distancing performance was measured using the number of subway users as an index. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the two indices. The change-point detection technique, cross-correlation, and Granger causality method were used to assess the temporal causality between social distancing and asthma. ResultsThe number of patients with asthma decreased by 42.4 % from 2019 to 2020, while that of subway users decreased by 26.3 % during this period. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations. Asthma and subway users showed a significant change in incidence following the implementation of social distancing; subway users showed a causal relationship with patients with asthma. ConclusionOur results showed that the number of subway users decreased after the implementation of strict social distancing, coinciding with a decrease in the number of patients with asthma. These findings suggest that social distancing measures implemented to control COVID-19 may reduce the incidence and exacerbation of asthma.

The impact of non-local human capital on local wages: exploring daily inflow of non-local human capital and its impact on local wages

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of daily inflow of non-local human capital on the wages of locals by tracing 14 billion inter-borough movements of people in Seoul, South Korea, in 2019, using mobile phone signal data as a proxy for the location of individuals. The findings reveal that the daily inflow of non-local human capital is beneficial for the wages of low-educated locals but detrimental for the wages of highly-educated locals. Additionally, the study finds that the inflow is advantageous for locals only when it originates from different age groups, and it is more beneficial when it comes from the older age group than from the younger age group. This research advances the existing literature on the relationship between local human capital and local wages by highlighting the substantial daily inflow of non-local human capital and demonstrating the significance of not only local but also non-local human capital in local wages.

The 2018 Heat Wave’s Impact on the Mortality of Older People in Seoul, South Korea

ABSTRACT Few studies on social welfare in South Korea have examined the effects of climate change, especially heat waves on vulnerable populations. The present study aims to investigate how heat waves affect vulnerable populations. This study utilized a cross-sectional study design, using the daily heat index and heat-related mortality data for Seoul, South Korea, in summer 2018. The research used micro-raw data of deaths caused by hypertensive, ischemic heart, and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as heat index data. An effect was observed for the heat index on mortality for individuals over 65 years of age, men, people with spouses, and those ages 75–79 years.

염색장소에 따른 주관적안녕감 및 모발염색만족의 차이 연구

These days, with the growth of beauty market, the colors which are harmonized with the unique color of a human body are applied to human hair, expressing individual personality. Hair coloring allows customers and beauty salons to take care of their hair without spending too much time and money. Recently, proactive response for consumer benefits has been popular. Therefore, it is required to recognize customers’ taste, consumption propensities, health and mood instead of just meeting their needs. Under these circumstances, this study attempted to provide proper services and make customers visit a beauty salon for hair coloring by preventing them from doing it on their own at home through marketing with a goal of suggesting a plan to make a contribution to the growth of beauty industry. For this, a self-administered questionnaire survey was performed against married people in Seoul. The collected data were analyzed, using SPSS 22.0. Specifically, frequency analysis was conducted to examine subjects’ general characteristics and place of hair coloring. For analysis of validity and reliability of subjective wellbeing and hair coloring satisfaction, factor analysis and reliability analysis were carried out. To examine subjective wellbeing and satisfaction by place of hair coloring, one-way ANOVA was performed. For post-hoc testing, Duncan’s test was implemented. It is anticipated that the above results would suggest a direction for marketing on consumers’ tastes, consumption propensities, stability and satisfaction, making sure that hair coloring at a beauty salon is better than self-hair coloring. It is also expected that they would be effective in enhancing consumers’ beauty consumption.

Transforming the Homelessness Policy by Housing First Approach - The case study of Seoul -

The purpose of this study is to explore the necessity of housing first approach, taking the Seoul homelessness policy as an example, and to derive constraints and policy agendas in applying the housing first approach. For this purpose, this study conducted a literature study, an analysis of raw data from the homeless survey, and advisory meetings. The decrease in the number of homeless people in Seoul has slowed in recent years, and avoiding facilities by homeless people was confirmed. In addition, not only economic problems, but complex service needs are intensifying. It is necessary to critically review whether the policy so far is still effective. Therefore, this study suggested the need to adopt the housing first approach as an alternative. However, the long-established institutional factors are hindering progress toward the housing first approach. In conclusion, first, if the housing first approach is to be adopted, the existing facility-centered support system should be converted into a housing-centered support system. Second, the supply of public rental housing should be increased. Third, support services should be improved in cooperation with the local welfare system. Finally, it is necessary to establish a new governance structure that promotes cooperation between the housing and welfare departments.

헤어미용 서비스 재미 요인 구성개념 탐색

This study attempted to verify construct validity through in-depth analysis on hair service experts’ enjoyment factors. For this, an open-ended questionnaire survey and an interview were performed with 225 people in Seoul and Jeju in 2021. Due to COVID-19, for those who preferred untact communication, data were collected through online channels (Google forms, email). The integrity and validity of the collected data were secured, In hair service experts’ enjoyment factors, inductive analysis with an experts meeting group were conducted according to similarity and communality. The results were categorized into three parts: raw materials, specific zone and general zone. Then, the results found the followings: Hair service experts’ enjoyment factors were divided into 5 general categories (i) pursuit of hairstyles, ii) social recognition, iii) perception of competence, iv) commitment, v) interpersonal relationship), 11 specific sectors and 746 different raw materials. It is anticipated that based on the study results, measuring instruments on hair service enjoyment factors would accelerate academic inflow, and extensive research outcomes with diverse socio-psychological variables would be realized.

A Study on the Effect of Housing Choice on Residential Satisfaction in Seoul Metropolitan Area : Focusing on Characteristics by Region, Life Cycle, and Income

The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of housing choice factors and resident characteristics on housing satisfaction by region, income, and life cycle using data from the Korea Labor Survey Panel through regression analysis. As a result of the analysis, the following results and implications were derived. First, housing choice factors do not necessarily have a positive effect on housing satisfaction, and housing choice that expects an increase in real estate value has a negative effect on housing satisfaction. In addition, it is necessary to provide an equal educational environment and comfortable living environment for each living area, and to provide appropriate convenience facilities for living areas with low residential satisfaction. Second, affordable rental housing should be provided near employment sites or public transportation to increase employment accessibility for young people in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, while providing affordable housing for young people from low-income families. In addition, long-term rental housing and job support should be continued for the middle-aged and elderly, and housing repair and care services should be provided in areas densely populated with the elderly.

A study on the public rental housing policy for young people in Seoul

This study presents policy implications after thoroughly investigating and analyzing the perceptions of public rental housing among the young people in Seoul. The methods of analysis include indepth interviews, chi-square tests and a cross-analysis. As a result of the analysis, we concluded that there was a difference in the perception of public rental housing depending on the characteristics of the youth. The level of knowledge about public rental housing was higher among married men aged between 30 and 34, with an annual salary of 60 million won or more. The majority of residence intent were single females, younger than 30, with an annual salary of less than 48 million won. Most young people hoped to live in public rental housing because rise in prices of housing made it difficult for people to find suitable accommodation. Alternatively, most people who refuse to live in public rental housing were married men, and those aged 24 to 30, 34 to 39, and those with an annual salary of 48 million won or more. One of the policy implications this study proposes are that the rent for public rental housing should be at a level that young people can afford. In addition, it is necessary to improve the residential environment of public rental housing, whether it is locating it near a station, or making sure the space is habitable and conducive to a healthy, long life. Moreover, it is necessary to provide a supply that reflects the differences in perceptions of public rental housing according to the youth s gender, age, marital status, and annual salary.

What Matters for Depression and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Quarantine?: Results of an Online Cross-Sectional Survey in Seoul, South Korea.

BackgroundAmid the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine measures are key to containing the spread of the virus. Millions of people have been required to quarantine throughout the pandemic; the quarantine itself is considered detrimental to mental health conditions.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the factors associated with depression and anxiety among quarantined people in Seoul, South Korea.MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey was administered from October to November 2020 involving people who were living in Seoul, aged 19 years or above, under a 2-week mandatory quarantine. Their mental health status was measured using the Patient Health Questionnares-9 (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7).ResultsOverall, 1,135 respondents were finally included, resulting in a 22.0% response rate. After controlling for potential confounders, variables, such as the “second half of quarantine period” (OR = 1.78 95% CI: 1.10–2.88), “female” (OR = 1.91 95% CI: 1.16–3.16), and “having pre-existing depression” (OR = 8.03 95% CI: 2.96–21.78) were significantly associated with depression while being quarantined. Those with correct knowledge about the rationale behind for the quarantine (OR = 0.39 95% CI: 0.21–0.72), an understanding of quarantine rules (OR = 0.68 95%CI: 0.52–0.91), and those who felt supported by others (OR = 0.74 95% CI: 0.55–0.99) were less likely to develop depression while quarantining. Similarly, anxiety was significantly associated with the second week (OR = 4.18 95% CI: 1.44–12.09), those with an unstable job status (OR = 3.95 95% CI: 1.60–9.79), perceived support (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45–0.96), and the fear of being infected (OR = 7.22 95% CI: 1.04–49.95).ConclusionsThis study highlights the need to develop precautionary measures to prevent depression and anxiety among people undergoing COVID-19 quarantine. In particular, individuals with depression prior to quarantine should be carefully monitored during the quarantine. Further studies with larger populations are needed.

Investigating the Spatiotemporal Imbalance of Accessibility to Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) Service for People with Disabilities: Explanatory Case Study in South Korea

This study analyzed the operation-related historical data of the call taxi service for disabled people in Seoul, South Korea. The study investigated how unevenly distributed the accessibility of disabled people to transportation is in terms of time and space. In addition, the reasons that cause imbalanced accessibility were investigated in areas with good and poor accessibility. Accessibility was defined as how quickly call taxi services for the disabled are available at specific times and locations. For the analysis, the log data for tracking the status of taxis in time and space were processed to calculate their availability, an index that reflects the dwelling time and the number of taxis available at a specific time and in a specific area. This index was divided into time and space and used as a surrogate measure to assess accessibility. The results showed that there were spatial and temporal accessibility imbalances in demand responsive transit (DRT) service. The insufficient supply during the night resulting from the current DRT operating schedule has reduced the accessibility of call taxis for the disabled, and the concentration of drivers’ breaks also affected the accessibility of service during the daytime. This suggests the need for (1) an increase in supply and (2) evenly distributed breaks for the drivers. In terms of space, the outer areas of Seoul generally were found to be more accessible than the central areas. In addition, areas near depots that serve as hubs and resting places for taxi drivers, areas with excellent medical infrastructures for people with disabilities, and areas with good traffic environments tended to have good accessibility; this suggests the need to reallocate garages and improve the traffic environments to improve accessibility.

Seoul Bang: urbanism between infrastructure and the interior

This article aims to introduce the concept and culture of Bang into the long and continuous practice of making, managing, and thinking about the architecture of Seoul. Bang is the Korean word for the basic unit of an interior space (similar to the English word ‘room’). The propagation of the alternative of Bang accords neither with the rational aesthetic principles of architectural Modernism nor with the popularisation of it as a style, for the simple reason that most people in Seoul do not understand its architecture as being either a self-referential expression of individuality or a form of art to be preserved. The experience of Seoul’s residents differs from an approach to architecture that takes into consideration visual organisation, formal aesthetics, or stylistic distinctions. This article argues that the architecture of the city of Seoul is perceived by ordinary Seoulites as an empty shell, an artificial field for life, an infrastructure stripped of any stylistic or formal language. By extending the ‘public’ space of the city to the interior of buildings, Bangs operate as a reminder of the constructed meaning of the idea of the ‘public’, demonstrating a bare condition that transcends the contemporary focus on aesthetics and forms. Emerging at the nexus formed by the daily realities of competition, exploitation, and the lack of scruples bred by contemporary neoliberalism, Bangs enable the citizens of Seoul to thrive in their own way and on their terms.

뷰티 서비스업 종사자의 감정노동, 회복탄력성, 심리적 웰빙이 직무열의에 미치는 영향

As social needs increase, the service industry tries to hide personal feelings to provide the best satisfaction to customers, maintain the facial expressions, gestures, and tone that customers and companies want, and express only the feelings of responding to customers. These environmental factors have highlighted the social plight of emotional workers. In particular, the beauty service workers are equipped with art and professional skills among the service sectors. They have the characteristics of providing technical services, customer sensibility, and cultural sense in serving customers. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of emotional labor, resilience, and psychological well-being on job engagement for the beauty service industry workers in the hair, makeup, nail, and skin service. The questionnaire was used to analyze a total of 608 people in Seoul and Gyeonggi area. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS 25.0 statistical program to analyze the frequency, factors, reliability, technical statistics, and multiple regression analysis. The study found that the emotional labor, resilience, and psychological well-being of the beauty service industry directly affect job engagement, which is a significant factor in determining life quality. To improve job engagement, increase resilience and psychological well-being, and reduce surface acting during emotional labor are the importance of deep acting. Therefore, this study

한 · 중 해양스포츠 관광 목적지 선택 및 제약요인 탐색

This study is to research the choice and restriction factors of marine sports tourism destination in Korea and China and to find out the difference of the deducted factors between the two countries. he data for the research purpose were collected from normal people in Seoul, marine sports tourists in Yeosu-si, normal people in Beijing, China and marine sports tourists in Sanya, China with the use of open-ended questionnaire, and the collected data were classified into raw data, detail region and general region according to the similarity of concepts after the meeting of experts with the use of inductive content analysis. The results of this study are follows. 1) The highest factor of destination choice of normal people in Korea is service followed by environment, consumption level and image. The highest restriction factor of destination choice is structural restriction followed by environmental, economic, interpersonal and personal restrictions. Meanwhile, the highest factor of destination choice of normal Chinese people is environment followed by service, consumption level and image. The highest restriction factor of destination choice is structural restriction followed by environmental, economic, personal and interpersonal restrictions. 2) The highest factor of destination choice of marine sports tourists in Korea is environment followed by service, consumption level and image. The highest restriction factor of destination choice is environmental restriction, followed by structural, economic, personal and interpersonal restrictions. The highest factor of destination choice of marine sports tourists in China is environment, followed by service, image, consumption level. The highest restriction factor of destination choice is structural restriction followed by environmental, economic, interpersonal and personal restrictions.

Changes in Subway Ridership in Response to COVID-19 in Seoul, South Korea: Implications for Social Distancing.

IntroductionWhile numerous episodes of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and subsequent government announcements in South Korea were accompanied by widespread social distancing efforts by the people, it is unclear whether these episodes and government announcements were actually influential in improving social distancing, or whether the level of response among different demographic groups varied.MethodsData were downloaded from Seoul Data Open Plaza, and changes in the number of passengers on the Seoul Metropolitan Subway network between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2020, were used to assess the extent to which people in Seoul practiced social distancing. Five events regarding COVID-19 that received wide public attention between January and March 2020 were identified and the changes in the number of passengers before and after each event were analyzed. Also, similar analyses were performed for 16 stations that were specific in either the age or purpose of the visit of the passengers.ResultsCompared to the third week of January 2020 (January 13-19), the mean daily number of passengers in all stations decreased by 2,984,857.4 or 40.6% by the first week of March (March 2-8). The percentage decrease in individual stations between this period was not significantly different between “young” and “old” stations (46.3% vs. 49.2%; p = 0.551) but was significantly smaller in “work” stations than in “leisure” stations (36.2% vs. 51.6%; p = 0.021). Of the five events, the first reported death due to COVID-19 in South Korea and the identification of a mass infection cluster in Daegu on February 20 were accompanied by the greatest decrease of the mean daily number of passengers (1,352,153.3 or 20.8%), while the first mass infection in Seoul on March 10 and the announcement of aggressive social distancing campaign on March 22 were accompanied by an increase in the number of passengers.ConclusionsThe number of subway passengers in Seoul decreased markedly during late February but slowly increased afterward, suggesting decreasing levels of risk perception and adherence to social distancing. Understanding the differing patterns of subway use by age or purpose of the visit may guide policymakers and the general public in shaping their future response to the current pandemic.

등산 활동 참가 액티브 시니어의 등산용품 구매의도에 대한 연구 : 확장된 목표지향적 행동 모델을 중심으로

In this study, the purpose of purchasing mountaineering goods was analyzed for active senior citizens who were interested in the purpose of purchasing hiking gear by using the extended goal-directed behavioral model. A total of 240 people in Seoul were collected and analyzed to verify the hypothesis using the method of sampling of non-probability. For data processing, the SPSS and AMOS programs were used, and the data were analyzed using frequency analysis, reliability analysis, positive factors analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation routing. The results of this study were as follows. First, subjective norms, positive anticipated emotion, negative anticipated emotion, and perceived behavioral control had positive effect on the desire. Second, among the variables of the extended goal-oriented model, the brand image had a significant effect on attitudes, and thirdly, attitudes and the frequency of past behaviors did not significantly affect aspirations. Fourth, the desire had a significant static effect on the intention of purchasing, and fifthly, perceived behavioral control and frequency of past behavior did not significantly affect the intention of purchasing. The results of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the decision-making process of active senior citizens participating in mountain climbing activities, and to further utilize the leisure and culture of active senior citizens.

고령자 주택자산을 활용한 연금형 희망나눔 주택제도 선택요인 : 서울시 고령자를 대상으로

The purpose of this study is to present the selection factors and policy implications of the system through questionnaires on the ‘Pension Type Hope Sharing Housing System’ for the elderly in Seoul. The reason for the analysis of Seoul is as follows. Purchase of Pension Type Hope Sharing Housing System Demand is likely to be concentrated in Seoul because rental housing users are targeting younger generations. In addition, it is necessary to analyze the elderly people in Seoul for the introduction of ‘the pension type Hope Sharing Housing System’, considering the fact that the Jutaeg-Yeongeum started in Seoul at the beginning of the housing pension system and then spread to the metropolitan area and then to the provinces.BR The lower the housing period, the shorter the residence period, the higher the willingness to use mortgage loans. The characteristics of the pension - type Hope Sharing House products are that the higher the monthly payment, the longer the payment period, the longer the payment cycle, the higher the fixed interest rate. The personal characteristics of elderly people were more intense to use the less, the lower the number of families, the less intention to inherit the children of the house, and the smaller the monthly income. It is necessary to introduce a lump sum product that can utilize the money and the plan to enter into the lease of the house that the senior citizen who is the pension type hope.

Effects of Positive Characteristics of SNS on Use Satisfaction and Using Reluctant Intention: A Path Model for the Role of Trust and Value

This study was conducted to examine the effects of interactivity, entertainment and ease of use, which are positive characteristics of SNS, on SNS using satisfaction and using reluctant intention and the roles of perceived values and trust among users in the relationships among these variables, in order to find a clue to contribution to positive use and development of SNS. For this study, a survey was performed targeting normal people in Seoul and the metropolitan area and a total of 224 effective questionnaires were acquired. Then frequency analysis, descriptive statistic analysis, correlation analysis and structural equation path analysis were carried out. As a result of analysis, interactivity and ease of use increased SNS using satisfaction and decreased using reluctant intention via trust and users' perceived values respectively. The result of analyzing the modification model showed that interactivity and entertainment directly increased SNS using satisfaction. These findings imply that SNS providers fully need to reflect the needs of consumers for interactivity, entertainment and ease of use for improving consumers' perceived values and trust. It is also concluded that consumers can enjoy positive SNS activities by increasing trust with SNS users through a positive understanding of interactivity and participation.

Contemporary Koreans' Perceptions of Facial Beauty.

BackgroundThis article aims to investigate current perceptions of beauty of the general public and physicians without a specialization in plastic surgery performing aesthetic procedures.MethodsA cross-sectional and interviewing questionnaire was administered to 290 people in Seoul, South Korea in September 2015. The questionnaire addressed three issues: general attitudes about plastic surgery (Q1), perception of and preferences regarding Korean female celebrities’ facial attractiveness (Q2), and the relative influence of each facial aesthetic subunit on overall facial attractiveness. The survey’s results were gathered by a professional research agency and classified according to a respondent’s gender, age, and job type (95%±5.75% confidence interval). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 10.1, calculating one-way analysis of variance with post hoc analysis and Tukey’s t-test.ResultsAmong the respondents, 38.3% were in favor of aesthetic plastic surgery. The most common source of plastic surgery information was the internet (50.0%). The most powerful factor influencing hospital or clinic selection was the postoperative surgical results of acquaintances (74.9%). We created a composite face of an attractive Korean female, representing the current facial configuration considered appealing to the Koreans. Beauty perceptions differed to some degree based on gender and generational differences. We found that there were certain differences in beauty perceptions between general physicians who perform aesthetic procedures and the general public.ConclusionsOur study results provide aesthetic plastic surgeons with detailed information about contemporary Korean people’s attitudes toward and perceptions of plastic surgery and the specific characteristics of female Korean faces currently considered attractive, plus trends in these perceptions, which should inform plastic surgeons within their specialized fields.

소비자 조사와 착의 실험을 통한 온도감응형 기능성 의류개발을 위한 기초연구

In this research, consumer awareness investigation and wearing test were carried out for obtaining useful data on the development of thermo-sensitive functional clothing material. A survey involved 216 people in Seoul and Kyeonggi-do, and 200 questionnaires data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and frequency using SPSS 17.0. Four healthy men in twenties were participated for wearing test. Subjects in normal loungewear were exposed to temperature change from the initial temperature <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX> down to <TEX>$5^{\circ}C$</TEX> for an hour in a climate chamber. The environmental temperature, surface temperature of garment and skin were measured. As a result, most of respondents have all season clothing products such as underwear, hosiery, and jogging suit for loungewear. Also, thermo regulator y functional clothes are frequently used as underwear and sweat shirt. The consumer awareness investigation on thermo regulatory functional clothing showed that the most important key buying factor is quick climate temperature response, easy maintenance, design and cost, in that order. Surface temperature of garment went down with the cooling down of environmental temperature. The lower environmental temperature, the greater temperature difference by body part showed. Skin temperature change by environmental temperature showed similar tendency of garment surface temperature. In comparison between garment surface and body skin, temperature difference became larger under the lower environmental temperature.

Seoulites′ Daily Living Spaces Reflected in Park Tae-won′s Novels of the 1930s

This study aims to analyze living spaces as depicted in Park Tae-won′s various fictional works set in Seoul in the 1930s, and thus to understand better the lives of citizens in those days. To clarify the significance and necessity of the study, it first examined the trends of similar studies overseas. Second, it analyzed previous studies related to urban and architectural spaces that appear in Korean literature. Lastly, it derived a differentiation by analyzing the existing researches of Park Tae-won′s works.The analysis of residential and commercial exchange spaces used by a wide range of people in Seoul, in which modern culture was introduced, helps our understanding of the changed lifestyles and lives of people. The emergence of new types of space with Western and Japanese influences could also be found. These spaces served as the background to a variety of changes, such as changes in roles and self-consciousness, gender discrimination and hierarchical conflicts associated with political and economic characteristics at that time.