Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Articles

행사성 사업의 효과 분석 방안

Recently, local governments have been actively organizing various event-based projects with the aim of strengthening community ties and revitalizing local economies. Consequently, there is a growing need for objective methodologies to evaluate the efficiency and validity of these public events projects. However, despite the increasing number of studies in this area, quantitative research regarding the analysis and prediction of the effectiveness of event-based projects remains scarce. In this study, we propose a methodology using the “Seoul Living Population Data” provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to quantitatively analyze and predict the effects of event-based projects. Specifically, by applying the TBATS model, which can consider various trends in time-series data (annual, weekly, daily, hourly), we aim to objectively analyze the effects of event-based projects and present a methodological procedure for quantifying the actual impact of these events. As a result, we confirm that this methodology enables the statistical analysis of the actual effects of event-based projects. Therefore, the proposed methodology in this study is expected to be utilized in assessing the demand for future event-based projects and is anticipated to provide more direct data compared to conventional qualitative assessments.

Associations between Recognition and Behaviors Regarding the Use, Washing and Management of Firefighting Protection Suits and Public Health Awareness of Occupational Exposure Risks among Firefighters

The firefighting protective suits (FPSs) of firefighters at fire scenes affect their health and safety. However, the association between firefighters’ health awareness of occupational exposure risks and the FPS use, washing and management remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between firefighters’ health awareness of occupational exposure risks and their recognition, behaviors regarding the use, washing and management of FPSs. This study design is a cross-sectional study and used a web-based survey of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s electronic survey system. The survey was conducted on metropolitan firefighters performing shift work in charge of fire and rescue work for 21 days from 1 to 22 April 2019, with 1097 (40.3%) respondents. Characteristics of FPS use, washing and management and the association between thoughts and behaviors thereof and health awareness of occupational exposure risks were evaluated. Data of 1097 firefighters were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 statistical package, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Firefighters’ fire scene awareness rate of possible carcinogens was 94.4%. There was an association between public health thinking of occupational exposure risks and the correct use of an FPS for one’s own safety (AOR 1.97. 95% CI 1.02–3.80). However, no association was shown between correct FPS use (AOR 1.49, 95% CI 0.48–4.59), washing (AOR 2.50, 95% CI 0.93–6.68) and management (AOR 1.38, 95% CI 0.75–2.50) behaviors. This study analyzed the relationship between the use, washing and management of personal protective equipment called firefighting clothing and firefighters perceived occupational exposure risks. This study found an association between the health awareness of occupational exposure risks and recognition of the correct use of FPSs at fire scenes but not between using, washing and managing behaviors of FPSs. This study is the first to analyze the relationship between firefighting clothing and occupational health awareness level. The results confirm that future interventions are required to help firefighters practice desirable behaviors toward FPSs and provided evidenced data for preventing occupational diseases among firefighters. Therefore, this study can be used to develop a firefighter occupational health curriculum and establish health and safety plans from mid- to long-term perspectives for firefighters’ safety against occupational exposure risks.

What Will Be the Future of Zeropay, A Strategic Fintech Policy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Objective: This study investigates the various perspectives on the perceived failure of government-led financial policy, particularly ZeroPay. We aim to propose strategies to lead ZeroPay to a successful market position by understanding the reasons behind this perception. Theoretical Framework: This paper is based on the theory of citizen participation in e-government and discusses the ZeroPay policy and citizen participation. Method: By comparing and analyzing the issues at the start of the policy and those that arose over the past five years, problems are identified, and solutions are derived. This paper finds out why ZeroPay has produced such results and why people think it is a failure, and discusses how to lead ZeroPay in the market successfully. Results and Discussion: The biggest problems with ZeroPay are the inconvenience of payment methods, lack of credit card benefits, and lack of participation by small business owners and citizens. For the service to be successful, it is necessary to attract sustainable interest and participation from citizens and small business owners and cooperate with financial institutions and companies. Research Implications: The government-led payment service has been unable to overcome the limitations raised when it was launched. Participating required much work for citizens and small business owners. For the service's success, the active participation of citizens, small business owners, and the private sector is necessary. Originality/Value: This paper discusses the importance of citizen participation in SGM cases. We discuss whether cooperation with the private sector and active participation of citizens, rather than government-led, are essential for success.

서울시 청년수당 도입에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study is to focus on the manager’s role in adopting the youth allowance in Seoul Metropolitan Government. In the process of adoption, there had been conflicts between central government and Seoul. This study tries to evaluate political management based on Mark Moore(1995)’s framework that emphasize the importance of strategic management perspective. While current studies mainly focus on the legal･institutional and social welfare aspects, this study focus on the role of public manager. According to analysis, ‘Entrepreneurial Advocacy’, Managing Policy Development’, and ‘Negotiation’ have important role in adopting youth allowance in Seoul.

Abstract A051: Treatment outcome of leptomeningeal metastasis from breast cancer

Abstract Purpose: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is well-known for its dismal prognosis. Despite various treatment approaches, there has been minimal improvement in survival, and the optimal treatment for leptomeningeal metastasis remains uncertain. Our study aimed to report treatment outcomes using different modalities for LM and to identify prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 111 breast cancer patients with LM, who were treated at Seoul National University and Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center between January 2010 and December 2022. The median follow-up period was 4.4 months (range, 0.2 – 125.4 months). Results: The median age was 48 years, with the majority having a Karnofsky performance status below 60 (n = 100, 90.1%). Among the 111 patients, intrathecal chemotherapy was the most commonly used treatment modality (n = 89, 80.2%), followed by radiotherapy (n = 74, 66.7%), and systemic chemotherapy (n = 56, 50.5%). The median freedom from progression was 3.4 months. In multivariate analysis, patients who underwent more than 2 treatment modalities experienced significantly longer progression-free interval (1.8 months vs. 7.4 months, HR = 0.20, p = 0.038). Additionally, patients who underwent excision of the primary breast tumor displayed a tendency for longer progression-free interval (3.1 months vs. 3.4 months, HR = 0.33, p = 0.084). Patients with systemic inflammation index greater than 500 × 103/mm3 at the time of the diagnosis of LM exhibited shorter progression-free interval (3.5 months vs. 2.9 months, HR = 2.88, p = 0.056). There was no difference of progression-free interval according to treatment modalities. Conclusions: The freedom from progression of LM originating from breast cancer was found to be poor, exhibiting less than 4 months. A multimodal approach upon LM and high systemic inflammation index at the time of the diagnosis of LM demonstrated significant difference in prognosis. Further research is warranted to elucidate the clinical implications and develop optimized treatment strategie Citation Format: Suzy Kim, Choong-won Lee. Treatment outcome of leptomeningeal metastasis from breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A051.

Making a Prototype of Seoul Historical Sites Chatbot Using Langchain

In this paper, we are going to share a draft of the development of a conversational agent created to disseminate information about historical sites located in the Seoul.The primary objective of the agent is to increase awareness among visitors who are not familiar with Seoul, about the presence and precise locations of valuable cultural heritage sites. It aims to promote a basic understanding of Korea’s rich and diverse cultural history. The agent is thoughtfully designed for accessibility in English and utilizes data generously provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Despite the limited data volume, it consistently delivers reliable and accurate responses, seamlessly aligning with the available information. We have meticulously detailed the methodologies employed in creating this agent and provided a comprehensive overview of its underlying structure within the paper. Additionally, we delve into potential improvements to enhance this initial version of the system, with a primary emphasis on expanding the available data through our prompting. In conclusion, we provide an in-depth discussion of our expectations regarding the future impact of this agent in promoting and facilitating the sharing of historical sites.

Health Behavior Adherence in a Metropolitan-Based Metabolic Syndrome Management Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the worldwide prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to assess health behavior adherence during the pandemic in adults who had engaged in a metabolic syndrome management program for at least six months. This assessment included an evaluation of health behavior changes, factors influencing adherence, and clinical parameters. The city-wide program was operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Baseline and follow-up data were compared in 116 participants who engaged in the program for at least 6 months prior to the pandemic. Health behaviors and clinical parameters were examined. Generalized estimating equation analysis was used to identify sociodemographic variables influencing health behavior adherence over time. Systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and blood glucose improved (all P<0.05), and risk factors decreased (P<0.001) from baseline to follow-up (mean±standard deviation, 1.13±0.91 years). All six health behaviors, physical activity and weight control, eating habits, alcohol consumption and smoking, stress management, sleep and rest, and medication compliance and medical examination improved (all P<0.001) from baseline to follow-up (2.37±1.05 years). Smoking and employment negatively influenced adherence to health behaviors (P<0.05). Participants felt the most beneficial part of the program was receiving sequential medical examination results with follow-up consultations by public health professionals without charge. Our study demonstrated the durability of the impact of the Seoul Program on all six targeted health behaviors as well as clinical parameters. Findings encourage participation in such broad-based programs and development of novel approaches to facilitate success for smokers and employed participants.

지자체의 수요자 중심 주문형 데이터 제도 도입 필요성

This study examines the implementation of On-Demand Data Systems within the Seoul Metropolitan Government, a critical strategy in the digital era, focusing on public data usage in administration. It investigates the role of such systems in enhancing data accessibility, protection, and collaboration among stakeholders in local governments. The research discusses the ordinance direction for integrating these systems into local governance and observes the evolution of big data in relation to the evolving roles of local authorities. Findings reveal that On-Demand Data Systems can significantly aid community development and provide insights into future challenges and opportunities. Despite limitations in data usage in local governments, the study underscores potential advantages like improved administrative service quality and increased transparency in policy-making. Key challenges include data processing, protection, and the necessity for institutional improvements in data provision. The study concludes that effective utilization of On-Demand Data Systems in local governments can be vital for service and product development, fostering local economic growth and addressing social issues.

서울의 메가리전(mega-region)화, 어떻게 할 것인가?

The discussion on Gimpo's incorporation into Seoul is developing into a discussion on the reorganization of the administrative system of Mega City. Is it really desirable for Seoul to incorporate Gimpo City from the perspective of the spatial structure of the city? Historically, the city has gradually expanded its sphere of influence, and the living area has been expanded to megapolis, urban conurbation, mega-regions, and ultra-wide areas. However, since administrative districts and hierarchical structures are different from country to country, there are various ways to resolve the inconsistency between living and administrative areas. In the case of Korea, there is a strong tendency to use radical metropolitan administrative measures such as merger or separation, which is largely influenced by the centralized local administration system. The living area of the residents of the metropolitan area has already expanded beyond Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and even Chungcheong-do and Gangwon-do. Gyeonggi-do is insisting on a division and proposing the Incheon Special Self-Governing Province Plan, making it a difficult problem on how to resolve the conflict of regional discussions. The Seoul Metropolitan Government proposes the Korean-style Legion Plan as an alternative to respond to the Mega-region phenomenon.

노인치매관리의 재원체계 관한 한·중 비교연구

This study conducted a comparative analysis of dementia care policies in Seoul and Qingdao. The findings reveal distinct characteristics in the funding systems of both regions. Seoul's funding mechanism is marked by the challenge of escalating national financial obligations, while Qingdao's system is characterized by the absence of national contributions and the marginalization of low-income demographics. To establish a more effective and stable funding framework, this study synthesizes the commonalities and disparities between these two systems via a comparative examination and proposes enhancement strategies. Looking ahead, the Seoul Metropolitan Government should allocate dedicated budgets for dementia care to individual local administrations, thus reducing the reliance on central government contributions. Meanwhile, Qingdao City should consider implementing insurance premium collection schemes and extending financial aid to fundamental local governing bodies. These actions are imperative to address the growing financial burdens on both the government and citizens, ultimately elevating the budget allocation for enhanced care service quality.

Ineffective implementation of emergency reduction measures against high concentrations of particulate matter in Seoul, Republic of Korea

Since December 30, 2017, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Republic of Korea, has been implementing emergency reduction measures (ERMs) restricting the operation of industrial sites, thermal power plants, and vehicles when air quality is expected to deteriorate. ERMs are implemented when the present observed concentration of particulate matter (PM) of aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and/or the predicted values for the following day exceed a threshold value. In this study, the effectiveness of ERMs was evaluated for 33 days with and 6 days without ERM implementation but where the PM2.5 concentration exceeded the threshold value, until March 15, 2021. Of the 33 days of ERM implementation, on 7 days it was executed despite the thresholds not being met. The ERM on these days might have been properly executed because the pre-notice and implementation of ERM might have reduced the local emissions of air pollutants. Our major findings are that even on days of ERM implementation, there were marginal reductions in vehicle traffic, thermal power generation, and industrial emissions. Second, the concentrations of PM2.5 and related air pollutants in Seoul were almost unchanged for most ERM implementation episodes. Third, most of the 39 (= 33 + 6) days when the air quality worsened were caused by the transboundary transport of air pollutants from China. In conclusion, it was revealed that the currently executed ERM law is insufficient for effectively reducing PM2.5. To achieve the required reductions, it is necessary to undertake stricter policies in Seoul and its neighboring regions.

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on waste generation: Focus on plastic, food, and medical wastes in South Korea

The COVID-19 pandemic may have considerably increased household and medical waste generation. However, waste generation patterns are not consistent and may vary globally. Therefore, using data (2018–2021) from 25 autonomous local governments under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, this study investigated whether plastic, food, and medical waste generation increased in South Korea during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics, spatial distribution patterns, and cluster analyses were used to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the jurisdictions. Results revealed that the fluctuations in plastic, food, and medical wastes generation had little impact on the waste management system in Seoul. Patterns varied little compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. This study raises the possibility that, while it may appear that there were waste management issues and waste accumulation during COVID-19, there is much variation in the results at the jurisdictional level. This showed that not all regions experienced problems in waste management during the pandemic.

Association between the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a second analysis based on data from a prospective cohort study.

Although there is strong evidence linking triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio to insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, its clinical importance in pregnant women has not been well determined. This study sought to determine the connection between the TG/HDL-C ratio in the first trimester and the eventual onset of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We performed a secondary analysis of open-access data from a prospective cohort study. This present study included 590 singleton pregnant women at 10-14 weeks who visited the outpatient clinics for prenatal checks and were recorded at Incheon Seoul Women's Hospital and Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center in Korea. A binary logistic regression model, a series of sensitivity analyses, and subgroup analysis were used to examine the relationship between TG/HDL-C ratio and incident GDM. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also conducted to assess the ability of the TG/HDL-C ratio to predict GDM. The mean age of the included individuals was 32.06 ± 3.80 years old. The mean TG/HDL-C ratio was 1.96 ± 1.09. The incidence rate of GDM was 6.27%. After adjustment for potentially confounding variables, TG/HDL-C ratio was positively associated with incident GDM (OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.32-2.38, P=0.0001). Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analysis demonstrated the validity of the relationship between the TG/HDL-C ratio and GDM. The TG/HDL-C ratio was a good predictor of GDM, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.7863 (95% CI: 0.7090-0.8637). The optimal TG/HDL-C ratio cut-off value for detecting GDM was 2.2684, with a sensitivity of 72.97% and specificity of 75.05%. Our results demonstrate that the elevated TG/HDL-C ratio is related to incident GDM. The TG/HDL-C ratio at 10-14 weeks could help identify pregnant women at risk for GDM and may make it possible for them to receive early and effective treatment to improve their prognosis.

The impact of networking characteristics on perceived individual performance: evidence from Seoul metropolitan government in Korea

ABSTRACT The current study investigates networking’s impact on individual performance with special attention paid to the frequency and necessity dimensions of networking. Motivated by the importance-performance analysis methodology, this study conducts a frequency-necessity analysis to investigate networking characteristics, which leads to four networking types. Data collected from metropolitan government officials in Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korea reveal that necessary but infrequent networking, as well as unnecessary but frequent networking, negatively influences individual performance, compared to networking with necessary and frequent networking partners. The study concludes with a call for strategic networking.

효과적 전자대금지급시스템의 영향요인에 관한 사례분석적 연구

Our society has long grappled with numerous issues such as wage and payment defaults in construction projects due to the lack of transparency. In response, Seoul Metropolitan Government has built and implemented a electronic payment system, known as the “Daegum-e-Baro” system, as part of its e-Government innovation initiatives. This electronic payment system has been expanded nationwide and is now legally mandatory for all public construction projects. Consequently, it is imperative for this study to examine the potential effects and influencing factors of the electronic payment system in the context of policy evaluation. Previously, studies on construction corruption have typically focused on cases of illegal subcontracting improvements. However, in this research, the study approaches from the perspective of the principal-agent theory, concentrating on the issues of information asymmetry and agent problems. This study aims to analyze the expected effects and influencing factors of the Daegum-e-Baro system. Based on enhancing transparency through e-Government, this study comprehensively examined what execution strategies and influencing factors were at play during the implementation process of the Seoul electronic payment system policy, how it expanded to national policy, and what the current outcomes look like. As expected effects, this study deduced control of corruption and fairness. As influencing factors, this study presented technical factor, legal and institutional factor, managerial factor, and transparency factor. Lastly, this study proposed policy suggestions for the development of the electronic payment system and added research implications and limitations.

2022 Annual Report of the Seoul Poison Control Center

Purpose: The Korea University Anam Hospital Seoul Poison Control Center (SeoulPCC) was established in accordance with Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance No. 7524 “Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Prevention of Toxic Substances Poisoning and Accident Safety.” Herein, the center’s annual performance in terms of project results and consultation information for 2022 are reported.Methods: SeoulPCC operates a helpline (Help Call, 1855-2221) that the general public can use from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, as well as chatting and chatbot counseling through KakaoTalk’s “Seoul Poison Control Center,” and one-on-one online counseling through the website. Additionally, it has constructed a system for communicating with the general public through social media. Poisoning disease information collected from SeoulPCC from January to December 2022 was analyzed according to the number of requests, age of exposure, gender, location, and reason. Requests from the general public were summarized, and a brief image presenting information on poisoning disease-related consultations was produced.Results: SeoulPCC has a database containing information on 188,065 toxic substances collected by public institutions and provides this information to the general public and medical staff through its website. In 2022, consultations were performed through phone calls and SNS (social networking service) for 577 cases of poison information and first aid treatment due to exposure to toxic substances. There were 1,431 instances of providing poison information services. The annual requests included 512 exposure cases and 65 non-exposure cases. Furthermore, 366 cases were in Seoul, 145 cases were outside of Seoul, and 66 had an unknown location. The exposure cases included 161 requests from the general public and 351 requests from medical staff.Conclusion: This is the first annual report in Korea to analyze the occurrence of poisoning based on consultations. It is of major significance that this report serves as a starting point for identifying and tracking the aspects and characteristics of poisoning cases in the pre-hospital stage. In the future, poisoning-related disease information provided through consultations and at the emergency room should be linked, and through real-time collection and analysis, this information should be used as basic data for poisoning disease management policies.

Study of Campustown Projects for the Sustainable Win-Win Growth of Universities and Communities

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has initiated projects to create campustowns to fully utilize university infrastructure. In this study, the first campustown project implemented in South Korea, Korea University-Anam Campustown Project, was evaluated to develop sustainable growth plans. Universities have useful infrastructure in terms of facilities, equipments, and human resources. There is a recent focus on breaking down boundaries between universities and communities to share this useful infrastructure. The methodology of this study is as follows. Primary indicators of win-win growth plans were identified by literature reviews and case studies. The indicators were applied to the target area by evaluations of the status of the area, SWOT analysis, collection of stakeholders’ views, and in-depth interviews. A commercialization plan was verified, while focusing on the project budget, feasibility, and administrative procedure. In total, 34 projects spanning five sectors (i.e., start-up, residence, culture, sharing with communities, and sustainability) were identified. Finally, measures to secure project implementation capacities and a master plan to improve the sustainability of this project were suggested. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the creation/development of similar projects at other universities in Korea.

URBAN REGENERATION IN SEOUL: Alternative Urbanism or the Resilience of Neoliberal Urbanism?

AbstractPark Won‐soon, the former mayor of Seoul, put forward a new vision of Seoul as a progressive city, and one of his signatures was the promotion of a new urban regeneration policy called the Seoul‐type Urban Regeneration Model (SUR). It was first presented as a solution to compressed and profit‐oriented urban redevelopment but evolved into an alternative model which conveyed the worlding desire of the Seoul Metropolitan Government to redefine Asian urbanism beyond developmentalism or neoliberalism. In this article, we argue that the SUR demonstrates a mixture of post‐developmentalist features and the lingering impact of neoliberal rationalities. Specifically, we problematize SUR's hybrid aspirations for urban competitiveness, improved quality of life and participatory governance by articulating how the pursuit of a globally competitive city conflicts with and overrides other values and how citizen‐centered governance was exploited as an efficient mechanism of neoliberal urbanism.

Outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales at a long-term care facility in Seoul, Korea: surveillance and intervention mitigation strategies.

Because effective decolonization options are not available, and treatment options are limited, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) constitute increasingly threatening nosocomial pathogens. To prevent CRE-associated transmission and ensure patient safety, healthcare personnel and everyone in contact with CRE-infected patients must implement stringent infection control practices. This report describes a CRE outbreak, possibly related to a caregiver at a long-term care facility (LTCF), and presents a new surveillance model to improve the infection control of CRE in Seoul, Korea. The Seoul Metropolitan Government surveillance system identified an outbreak of CRE in an LTCF in 2022. We obtained data on the demographic characteristics and contact histories of the inpatients, medical staff, and caregivers. To isolate the inpatients and employees exposed to CRE, we used rectal swab samples and environmental sampling during the study period (May-December 2022). We identified 18 cluster cases (1 caregiver and 17 inpatients) and 12 sporadic cases with CRE, and conducted a complete 197-day follow-up of all cases in the LTCF's isolation wards. This investigation demonstrated that our surveillance model and targeted intervention, based on the cooperation of the municipal government, public health center, and infection control advisory committee, effectively contained the epidemic at the LTCF. Measures to improve the compliance of all employees in LTCFs with infection control guidelines should also be adopted.

Means-tested COVID-19 stimulus payment and consumer spending: Evidence from card transaction data in South Korea

This study examines the effect of a means-tested COVID-19 stimulus payment, which was provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in South Korea, on consumer spending. The Seoul government issued a one-off payment in the spring of 2020 for residents in the city living below the national median income. We use daily card transaction data aggregated by users’ age, income and location of residence, and apply a difference-in-differences approach to assess the effect of the stimulus payment. We compare consumption for the treatment (eligible for the payment) and control (ineligible but with a similar level of income) groups before and after the implementation of the payment. The results show that the payment increased consumer spending for the treatment group by about 12%. Recipients of the means-tested payment have a marginal propensity of consumption at no less than 59%, larger than that found for a universal emergency payment made by the Korean government and similar stimulus checks in other countries.