Project In South Korea Research Articles

Meta learning regression framework for energy consumption prediction in retrofitted buildings: A case study of South Korea

Building energy consumption (BEC) prediction is crucial for optimizing energy efficiency in building retrofit projects, particularly during the early design phase. However, existing machine learning (ML) models often face challenges with overfitting and complexity, limiting their accuracy and generalizability. This study addresses these issues by proposing a novel meta-learning regression framework for energy prediction in green retrofitted buildings. The framework employs optimized base regressors using various ML models and integrates them through stacking regression to enhance predictive accuracy and generalization. The model’s performance is evaluated against advanced methods like Deep Neural Networks and Ensemble Learning Regression using data from over 811 green retrofitting projects in South Korea. The proposed method demonstrates superior efficiency, achieving the lowest mean absolute error (19.899 for Primary Energy Consumption and 11.301 for Energy Required Amount), lowest root mean squared error (29.494 for Primary Energy Consumption and 19.977 for Energy Required Amount), and highest R-squared score (0.786 for Primary Energy Consumption and 0.542 for Energy Required Amount). This research contributes a novel approach to ensemble modeling for BEC prediction, showcasing its superior accuracy, generalizability, and practical applicability in the context of green building retrofits.

Local versus outsider developers: Impact on development duration and its’ implications for community acceptance of solar PV plants in South Korea

This study focused on community acceptance of small to medium solar PV plant projects in South Korea, which has rarely been the subject of research despite reports of disputes. It set out to determine whether there is a difference in community acceptance based on a project being developed by local residents or by outsiders. We used the duration of development for each plant as a proxy variable for the level of acceptance. We interpreted longer development duration as corresponding to a lower level of community acceptance when other characteristics of solar PV plants were controlled for. Analyses using a censored regression model indicated that the development duration was shorter (with statistical significance) when plants were developed by local residents rather than by outsiders. Further investigation revealed local resident involvement had more effect on reducing the development duration for plants exploiting forested land, the type for which community acceptance was known to be low. The effect was not evident when the plants were developed using existing buildings.

Multi-criteria evaluation of poly-generation system applied to commercial buildings with various prime movers and building types

The present study evaluates the performance of a poly-generation system applied to commercial buildings. An internal combustion engine (ICE) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) used as prime movers represent different efficiency distributions according to part load ratio variation. Accordingly, discrete results are found in terms of energy, environment, and economy depending on the prime mover type applied to each building. A renewable energy system is combined with the poly-generation system, and the outputs produced from the energy generation units are transferred to the energy storage system and supplied to the demand sources. Through the parametric study and hybrid control method, the stored energy is optimally distributed to the cooling and heating system to maximize the primary energy saving ratio. The major components constituting the poly-generation system are modeled and validated based on experiments and literature to enhance the reliability of the dynamic simulation model. The monthly amounts of replenished and wasted energy are examined, and the magnitude of produced energy contribution to the building self-sufficiency ratio is also identified. When ICE- and SOFC-based poly-generations are applied to the hospital, 30.2% and 45.2% of the primary energy consumption is saved, respectively, compared with the conventional system. For the office, the corresponding systems reduce primary energy consumption by 1.8% and 37.2%, respectively. The economic feasibility of the poly-generation systems is examined considering the current energy project in South Korea.

Investigating the Value of Parallel Pipeline Projects for Water Supply: A Contingent Valuation Study in South Korea

Parallel pipeline projects can contribute to ensuring a safe and stable water supply and preventing or mitigating losses caused by water pipeline accidents. However, because these projects require a significant investment, feasibility tests are essential prior to their implementation. Considering the public nature of the water supply, the direct beneficiaries of the project and people from other regions can place value on such projects. Thus, this study estimates the value of parallel pipeline projects using the contingent valuation method (CVM) and the swing weighting technique. We constructed two contingent valuation surveys: one asking about the willingness to pay (WTP) for a parallel pipeline project within the respondent’s region and the other asking about the WTP for a project outside the region. The results show that the annual WTP per household for projects within and outside the region was 113,669 KRW (87.98 USD) and 5493 KRW (4.25 USD), respectively. These results indicate that the value perceived by people from outside the region should be considered. Additionally, the results from the swing weighting technique and WTP analysis show that the values that respondents generally consider important and those that can leverage the overall project value are distinct. This study’s results provide insights into the implementation of parallel pipeline projects in South Korea. Furthermore, this study’s analytical framework can be used for the valuation of other public infrastructure projects.

How a high-modernism project in South Korea failed: Sewoon Sangga (1966–1972), the first experimental modern planning

PurposeThis study defines and critically analyzes Korean high modernism using the Sewoon Sangga project as a case study, as it has significant value in Korea's urban and architectural history.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology applied for this study was a theory-interpretive analysis. This study examines the modernization process of Seoul based on the concept of “high modernism,” in that the theory-interpretive analysis method analyzes historical phenomena centered on a specific concept.FindingsAs a form of national belief, the various ideas that give birth to modern cities are defined as “high modernism.” As a Korean megastructure, the Sewoon Sangga project is significant in the history of Korean urbanism and architecture because it is the archetype of Korean high modernism and is representative of South Korea's compressed economic growth. However, soon-to-be-demolished Sewoon Sangga signifies the failure of Korean high modernism. This study identified the critical characteristics of Korean high modernism through the Sewoon Sangga project.Originality/valueThis study analyzed a representative Asian city through the specific concept of high modernism. It transpired that high modernism, which played an important role in the birth and development of modern cities, should be transformed for future cities and architectural development. This study has significance in that it expands the study of the history of urbanism and architecture centered on the West to the same in Asia.

The interaction effect of absorptive capacity and partner types on product innovation in SMEs

ABSTRACT This paper aims to examine the relationship between absorptive capacity (ACAP) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their external partner types for successful product innovation. There has been little empirical research regarding the synergy between SMEs’ internal capabilities and partner types in collaborative R&D projects. We developed and tested an integrated model from the knowledge- and resource-based views to explain the substantial disparities in payoff of collaborative R&D projects that exist between firms. Our study of 2,360 government-funded R&D projects in South Korea found that the direct effect of ACAP and interactions with science-based partners had a positive effect on product innovation success, whereas interactions with market-based partners had no significant effect. Our findings provide meaningful evidence for SMEs and policymakers who have to decide between R&D partners for their innovation strategy.

Analyzing the Impact of C-ITS Services on Driving Behavior: A Case Study of the Daejeon–Sejong C-ITS Pilot Project in South Korea

This paper analyzes the impact of C-ITS service on driving behavior, focusing on a pilot project in Daejeon–Sejong, South Korea. C-ITS, an advanced technology, enables bidirectional wireless communication between vehicles or infrastructure, allowing for real-time traffic data collection and dissemination. The study uses a unique analytical method, employing parallel processing techniques for variable extraction and a paired t-test to examine the short-term effects of C-ITS on driving behavior. Findings indicate a significant change in drivers’ behavior, particularly in average speed, hard braking rate, severe deceleration rate, speeding rate, and excessive speeding rate, towards safer trends after receiving C-ITS warning services. Reductions in hard braking and severe deceleration were immediate after C-ITS service initiation, while a decrease in excessive speeding was observed after four months. Further research is needed to identify other potential influencing variables and provide an unbiased evaluation of C-ITS effectiveness. The study’s implications highlight its role in promoting public acceptance of C-ITS-service-based cooperative autonomous driving strategies.

Sedimentation issues of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project in South Korea

In 2009, South Korea started a large multi-purpose water project on its four major rivers. The main purposes of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project (FMRRP), which are directly related to water itself, were: (1) securing water resources to combat water scarcity; (2) reducing flood risks by riverbed dredging and reinforcing levees; and (3) restoring the river's environmental functions. Despite socio-environmental opposition, the project was completed in 2011. This article reviews the sedimentation issues raised during and after the FMRRP regarding technological developments and the lessons learned from the project. A total of five sedimentation issues raised directly from the project are reviewed in this article: (1) riverbed dredging and sediment redeposition; (2) tributary headcut; (3) riverbed scour downstream of the movable weir structures; (4) sedimentation management schemes; and (5) a near-prototype river experiment facility. Each issue is addressed by identifying and analyzing field data, developing new numerical models, and testing at a large-scale experiment facility. From this project, we have found that a comprehensive numerical technique is required to predict the sediment issues as mentioned above in a watershed-scale riverwork.

Enhancing R&D Performance Management: A Case of R&D Projects in South Korea

This study introduces a comprehensive system designed to monitor and manage the performance of research and development (R&D) projects. The proposed system offers project managers a systematic methodology to enhance the efficiency of R&D performance management. To achieve this, the system categorizes R&D performance indicators based on their feasibility of measurement and the frequency of output generated during R&D activities. The progress rate of each indicator is then represented in terms of observable and latent progress, considering the unique characteristics of each indicator. The calculation methods vary depending on the classification of the indicator. Additionally, a progress priority matrix is developed to aid decision-making by evaluating the current progress and rate of progress increment of the indicators. This matrix enables project managers to prioritize tasks effectively. To assess the validity and usefulness of the proposed system, it is applied to a real case of large-scale R&D projects conducted at a Korean research institute. Interviews with project managers validate that the proposed system surpasses the effectiveness of the legacy system in monitoring R&D progress. Through its comprehensive framework and practical application, this study contributes to the enhancement of R&D project performance monitoring, providing valuable insights for project managers seeking to optimize their R&D management processes.

Current Status of the Pediatric Palliative Care Pilot Project in South Korea Based on the Experience of a Single Center.

We evaluated the status of patients enrolled in South Korea's pediatric palliative care pilot project based on the experience of a single center. This study examined factors related to end-of-life services and differences in medical costs. The medical records of 120 patients referred by a pediatric palliative care team were analyzed retrospectively. Data from July 1 to February 28, 2022 were collected and analyzed using the chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Volunteer programs and psychological support (100%), family support and education (99.2%), and financial support through institutional linkage (62.5%) were provided to the participants. In the deceased group, there were no significant differences in general characteristics, which included age, gender, primary disease, religion, duration of hospitalization in an intensive care unit (ICU) and non-intensive care unit (non-ICU). However, the ICU group had fewer opportunities to access individual pain and physical symptom management than the non-ICU group and there were limitations in linking with external resources. Medical expenses were significantly different for the ICU group, with a 3-times higher average cost than the non-ICU group. Although an individualized approach is needed for each patient in pediatric palliative care, psychosocial care is essential. In addition, if early intervention for end-of-life pediatric patients is available from a palliative care team, the cost burden of medical care for patients and their families should be minimal.

An XYZ-axis Matrix Approach for the Integration of Neuroscience and Neuroethics

The recent, unprecedented advancement in neuroscience has led to new discoveries about the human brain and its function. Yet at the same time, it has spurred novel ethical and regulatory issues, and the field of neuroethics has emerged as an interdisciplinary endeavor to address these issues. Across the globe, extensive efforts have been underway to achieve the integration of neuroscience and Neuroethics, with active engagement not only from academia but also from the government, the public, and industry. However, in some countries, integrating neuroscience and neuroethics has proved to be a particularly challenging task. For example, in South Korea, the government has primarily driven the integration effort, and only a small group of researchers is properly trained for conducting an interdisciplinary evaluation of ethical, legal, social, and cultural implications (ELSCI) of neurotechnology. On the basis of the last few years of experience pursuing a government-funded neuroethics project in South Korea, we developed a new operational framework to provide practical guidance on ELSCI research. This framework consists of the X, Y, and Z axes; the X-axis represents a target neurotechnology, the Y-axis represents different developmental stages of the technology, and the Z-axis represents ELSCI issues that may arise from the development and use of the neurotechnology. Here we also present a step-by-step workflow to apply this matrix framework, from organizing a panel for a target neurotechnology to facilitating stakeholder discussion through public hearings. This framework will enable meaningful integration of neuroscience and neuroethics to promote responsible innovation in neuroscience and neurotechnology.

The influence of social support from intermediary organizations on innovativeness and subjective happiness in community-based tourism

This study examines the influence of social support from intermediary organizations on innovativeness and subjective happiness in community-based tourism (CBT). The authors collected data from 236 residents who had participated in the Tour Dure project in South Korea. The analysis, using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), shows that social support from intermediary organizations has a positive effect on the innovativeness of residents. Further, the more innovativeness the residents showed, the more their subjective happiness increased. In other words, social support from intermediary organizations plays an important role in improving innovativeness, and in turn, the subjective happiness of residents. There have been many claims that resident participation is important in CBT, but it has usually been treated as a slogan without offering specific proposals for boosting such participation. This study discovered that the social support given by intermediary organizations to residents plays an important role in innovativeness and subjective happiness. It also shows that it is effective to encourage residents’ participation in CBT by offering social support from intermediary organizations.

Interpreting Empire: English, U.S. Advisors, and Interpreters in the Korean War

Abstract The Korean Military Advisory Group (kmag) – a relatively small unit of U.S. Army officers – developed, advised, and exerted influence over the Republic of Korea (rok) Army from its inception in 1946 through the signing of the Korean War armistice in July 1953. kmag advisors served down to the battalion level, working alongside South Korean counterparts in rok Army units, causing language to be a crucial battlefield that animated American anxieties and negative racial assumptions. In a moment when few, if any, American military officers had Korean language proficiency, South Koreans with English-language capability became essential to the U.S. foreign policy project in South Korea. South Korean interpreters, too, amplified racialized concerns about the trustworthiness of rok soldiers. This article places American understandings of language in kmag affairs into critical focus, highlighting the cultural assumptions that came to effect material change in U.S. Army policy towards the rok Army before and during the Korean War. It shows how language was a means of U.S. penetration into the fabric of Korean state and society, but also a target of imaginations that disturbed the U.S. military because of its consistent reminder of how language could resist American suggestion.

Challenges in evaluating treatments for COVID-19: The case of in-hospital anticoagulant use and the risk of adverse outcomes.

Anticoagulants are a potential treatment for the thrombotic complications resulting from COVID-19. We aimed to determine the association between anticoagulant use and adverse outcomes among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We used data from the COVID-19 International Collaborative Research Project in South Korea from January to June 2020. We defined exposure using an intention-to-treat approach, with person-time classified as use or non-use of anticoagulants at cohort entry, and a time-varying approach. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality; the secondary outcome was a composite including respiratory outcomes, cardiovascular outcomes, venous thromboembolism, major bleeding, and intensive care unit admission. Cox proportional hazards models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of the outcomes comparing use versus non-use of anticoagulants. Our cohort included 2,677 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, of whom 24 received anticoagulants at cohort entry. Users were older and had more comorbidities. The crude incidence rate (per 1,000 person-days) of mortality was 5.83 (95% CI: 2.80, 10.72) among anticoagulant users and 1.36 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.59) for non-users. Crude rates of the composite outcome were 3.20 (95% CI: 1.04, 7.47) and 1.80 (95% CI: 1.54, 2.08), respectively. Adjusted HRs for mortality (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.48, 2.64) and the composite outcome (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.28, 2.18) were inconclusive. Although our study was not able to draw conclusions on anticoagulant effectiveness for COVID-19 outcomes, these results can contribute to future knowledge syntheses of this important question. Our study demonstrated that the dynamic pandemic environment may have important implications for observational studies of COVID-19 treatment effectiveness.

The Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms on Coastal Tourists’ Behaviors in South Korea

Offshore wind power has grown significantly worldwide but the presence of wind farms can be problematic in tourism areas. Offshore wind farms affect tourism behaviors. This study was conducted to assess the extent to which individuals’ characteristics affect their acceptance of wind farm projects, tourism behaviors represented as trip intention and site substitution when the offshore wind turbines are deployed in the beach. Using a case of offshore wind farm projects in South Korea, study results show that individuals’ perceptions of wind energy and perceived impacts of tourism were the critical variables that help understand the public acceptance. The likelihood of an individual visiting a beach with offshore wind farms was connected to their values concerning wind energy, seascape, and the environment. Such values played an important role in deciding to visit a different site. The results expectedly provide meaningful implications related to the siting of offshore wind farms.

A structural equation model of community development organizations (CDO)' capacity and collaborations to increase community satisfaction.

This study examines a structural equation model among community development organizational capacity, collaborations, and community satisfaction to develop a comprehensive model of community satisfaction in rural community development projects in South Korea. The model was tested on a sample of 592 participants in the rural community development project for enhancing community development in South Korea, using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that the planning capacity of CDOs and community collaboration are significant determinants that influence community satisfaction. The leadership capacity, planning capacity, and administrative support capacity of CDOs can facilitate community collaboration. But leadership and planning capacity did not significantly affect community satisfaction. Practical and policy implications are included in the conclusion.

Usefulness of hand grip strength to estimate other physical fitness parameters in older adults

This study aimed to reveal the status of physical fitness (PF) levels and determine whether hand grip strength (HGS) could be used to estimate other PF parameters in older adults from large population data. A total of 46,269 participants aged ≥ 65 years who participated in the 2019 National Fitness Award Project in South Korea were included in the analysis. Of the participants, 6.8% had the highest level of overall physical fitness, while 48.9% had the lowest level. The proportion of overall PF levels differed significantly according to age groups. Significant associations between HGS and other PF parameters (30-s chair stand test, 2-min or 6-min walk test, sit-and-reach test, 3-m backwards walk test, and Figure-of-8 walk test) were noted and the group with low HGS (< 28 kg for men and < 18 kg for women) had significantly higher odds of having the lowest level of overall PF (odds ratio: 5.232 in men and 6.351 in women), after adjusting for age and body mass index. HGS could estimate muscular strength and endurance, aerobic fitness, flexibility, balance skills, and coordination skills, as well as overall PF level in older adults, and could be used as a substitute test for their PF level in limited situations.

Satisfaction with family socio-economic status, leisure opportunity, and well-being among adolescents in South Korea

This study aimed to investigate how satisfaction with family socio-economic status and leisure opportunity related to eudaimonic well-being among adolescents. Regression and mediation analyses were applied to the data from a representative sample comprising adolescents between 4th and 12th grades (N = 8825; 49.4% girls) in 17 cities based on a nationwide study of the Youth Happiness Community’s Index and Community Setting Project in South Korea. The results indicated that satisfaction with family socio-economic status and leisure opportunity strongly predicted eudaimonic well-being among adolescents. The mediation analyses also showed that leisure opportunity partially mediated the relationships between satisfaction with family socio-economic status and eudaimonic well-being. The findings suggest the importance of enhancing social and economic capital to participate in leisure activities and assuring leisure time for the promotion of adolescents’ well-being. Implications for practice and policy were discussed.

Strategic framework for natural disaster risk mitigation using deep learning and cost-benefit analysis

Abstract. Given trends in more frequent and severe natural disaster events, developing effective risk mitigation strategies is crucial to reduce negative economic impacts, due to the limited budget for rehabilitation. To address this need, this study aims to develop a strategic framework for natural disaster risk mitigation, highlighting two different strategic implementation processes (SIPs). SIP-1 is intended to improve the predictability of natural disaster-triggered financial losses using deep learning. To demonstrate SIP-1, SIP-1 explores deep neural networks (DNNs) that learn storm and flood insurance loss ratios associated with selected major indicators and then develops an optimal DNN model. SIP-2 underlines the risk mitigation strategy at the project level, by adopting a cost–benefit analysis method that quantifies the cost effectiveness of disaster prevention projects. In SIP-2, a case study of disaster risk reservoir projects in South Korea was adopted. The validated result of SIP-1 confirmed that the predictability of the developed DNN is more accurate and reliable than a traditional parametric model, while SIP-2 revealed that maintenance projects are economically more beneficial in the long term as the loss amount becomes smaller after 8 years, coupled with the investment in the projects. The proposed framework is unique as it provides a combinational approach to mitigating economic damages caused by natural disasters at both financial loss and project levels. This study is its first kind and will help practitioners quantify the loss from natural disasters, while allowing them to evaluate the cost effectiveness of risk reduction projects through a holistic approach.

Extension of SIR method with interval type 2-hesitant fuzzy set to aggrandize industry–university collaboration projects in South Korea

Extension of SIR method with interval type 2-hesitant fuzzy set to aggrandize industry–university collaboration projects in South Korea