South Korea Research Articles

Multiple Truths and Many Roads: Leading Graduate Study Abroad

This panel will feature presentations from faculty from three universities with programs that offer study abroad opportunities for master’s-level Library and Information Science (LIS) students. This panel is designed to open a larger discussion pertaining to study abroad and will focus on the following objectives: To provide examples of creative study abroad initiatives. To generate discussion on the value of international experiences. To discuss the importance of cultivating an experience that fosters understanding of the “other” culture(s) through engagement and learning. To provide examples of in-person extended experience for students who may be in online programs. Marie L. Radford and Lilia Pavolvsky will describe study abroad opportunities at Rutgers. Radford leads a Master of Information (MI) hybrid course “British Collections and Archives.” This is a three-credit summer session course with nine days at Wroxton College in England in addition to online modules. It includes visits to libraries and archives in London and surrounding areas, such as the British Library, The National Archives, the Bodleian Library at Oxford University, the Library and Archives of the Shakespeare Center at Stratford-upon-Avon, and Bletchley Park. The course involves lectures by noted British scholars and librarians on trends in academic and public libraries, digital preservation, and archival studies. Students learn about how libraries and archives function with different systems of government, different funding models, and different credentialing practices. Additionally, Rutgers offers study abroad for an International Children’s Literature course, that includes a visit to the annual Bologna Children’s Book Fair, in Italy. This event attracts global book publishers and member organizations of "ibby" the International Board on Books for Young People. Graduate students have the unique opportunity to explore ways of creating text, art, and design for children and teenagers while meeting experts on youth literacy from many nations. Also, we will share plans to offer international experiences to graduate students that include professional conferences and other opportunities for open discourse to discover many truths beyond the boundaries of their local professional and scholarly communities. These experiences will be designed to offer travel to environments in which students have the opportunity to engage in dialogue that is not only inclusive of perspectives of international LIS scholars, practitioners, and students, but which also enables an exchange of cross-cultural ideas to promote mutual understandings. Lisa O’Connor will discuss the origins of her study abroad course to Northern Ireland and Ireland, which she first developed at the University of Kentucky. Frustrated with her predominately white, middle-class students’ intractable view of their culture as innocuous, she hoped that a study abroad experience would help students gain the distance and objectivity they needed to see patterns of domination and repression in another culture and, as a result, better see these patterns in their own. Her course examines whose culture is preserved and whose is not, and who controls the dissemination of information (and thus the narrative) surrounding cultural conflict. Students examine the narrative on “The Troubles” as it was promulgated by mainstream, pro-British American media prior to their in-country experience. Students are able to contrast (1) the treatment of indigenous Irish culture with colonized British culture, and (2) messages disseminated about Irish resistance with those of the colonizer, in order to understand the roles information and information policy play in reproducing cultural hegemony, Data gathered from students indicate that the study abroad experience does in fact increase cultural humility and provide a transformative experience that helps them see “truth” as conditional rather than absolute and to ask, “who controls the narrative” in cultural conflict. Matthew Saxton will describe the International Exploration Seminar program and how MLIS graduate students have engaged in study abroad for over 10 years in multiple countries (Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Ghana, Denmark, United Kingdom, Austria, Ethiopia, and Portugal). Themes of seminars have included urban informatics, cross-cultural adoption of information technology, polarization and inclusion in different societies, information literacy, and children’s literature and “own voices” in publishing. The presentation will focus in depth on the South Korea seminar as a case study that has run for 12 years and engaged over 180 US students and an equal number of Korean students. Students examine the interaction of culture, adoption of information technology, and use of social media, and consider such questions as: Do US and Korean students use social media in similar or different ways? How do they communicate, share, and validate information? We examine the cultural, economic, social, and political factors that shape the online information environment of both societies. Presenters will engage the audience in lively discussion and exchange of ideas. Discussion topics will center on the purpose and value of international experiences in graduate study, planning and investment on part of the institution, incentives for student recruitment, preparation of faculty, and building effective international partnerships.

Association between husband's participation in household work and the onset of depressive symptoms in married women: A population-based longitudinal study in South Korea

An unequal distribution of household work by gender is prevalent. This study explored the association between husbands' participation in household work and the onset of depressive symptoms among married Korean women. A nationwide sample of 7024 married women was repeatedly followed up at 2-year intervals from 2014 to 2022 (20,343 observations). The daily household work hours of both the participants and their husbands were self-reported. Satisfaction with husbands' participation in household work was classified as satisfactory, neutral, or dissatisfactory. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression. A generalized estimating equation was employed to determine how household work participation was associated with the onset of depressive symptoms in married women at the 2-year follow-up. The risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The mean daily hours spent on household work were 2.62 h for married women and 0.35 h for husbands. A 1-h increase in the husbands' daily time spent on household work was negatively associated with the risk of onset of depressive symptoms in married women (RR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80–0.98). Compared with individuals with neutral responses, those satisfied with their husband's household work had a lower risk of depressive symptom onset (RR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74–0.90), whereas dissatisfaction was linked to increased risk (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04–1.27). Husbands' participation in household work was associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptom onset among married women. Achieving gender equality in the division of household work is important for women's mental health.

Significance of intrarenal vascular lesions in Ig A nephropathy prognosis

BackgroundImmunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the predominant primary glomerulonephritis globally and remains a subject of active research with a focus on understanding its course and prognosis. Although vascular lesions are associated with IgAN, the current histopathological grading systems do not consider intrarenal vascular lesions when predicting patient prognosis. Therefore, this retrospective study conducted at Kyungpook National University Hospital between October 2016 and December 2021, aimed to elucidate the significance of intrarenal vascular lesions in IgAN by comparing the clinical data of patients with and without such lesions.MethodsData of patients with biopsy-confirmed primary IgAN between October 2016 and June 2021 at Kyungpook National University Hospital (Daegu, South Korea) were collected, and their medical records were reviewed. All slides from these 138 cases were independently pathologically reviewed by two nephropathologists (Y. J. K. and M. S. K.) using light microscope. The vascular lesions included in this study were fibrous intimal thickening, arteriolar wall thickening, and arteriolar hyalinosis. All cases were reviewed according to the Oxford Classification of IgA Nephropathy (2016) and Haas classification.ResultsOf the 138 patients, 88 exhibited at least one intrarenal vascular lesion. Patients with arteriolar wall thickening demonstrated a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), elevated serum creatinine level and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, an increased proportion of global glomerulosclerosis, and a higher histologic grade of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy at the time of biopsy.ConclusionArteriolar wall thickening in IgAN are associated with reduced eGFR and global glomerulosclerosis. Moreover, reduced eGFR and global glomerulosclerosis are correlated with the progression to end-stage renal disease. Although the direct correlation between vascular lesions and end-stage renal disease is not entirely clear, a marginally significant association (log-rank test, p = 0.06) was observed with arterial wall thickening. This study suggests the potential importance of vascular lesions in the prognosis of IgAN, encouraging further investigation using larger cohort studies to establish a clearer association.

Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in sheep and goats in rural areas of Al-Muthanna Province, Iraq

Background: Cryptosporidium species are widespread protozoa and are considered an important cause of diarrhea in humans and animals. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum in diarrheic sheep and goats from the rural areas of the Al-Muthanna Province, southern Iraq, based on molecular screening using PCR. The outcomes would help in determining the distribution of C. parvum in sheep and goats in the area, as well as the risk factors for the infection. Methodology: Sixty fecal samples were collected from clinically ill sheep and goats. The samples were submitted to PCR and sequencing that targeted the 18S rRNA gene in the protozoan. Results: The PCR revealed a 60% (18 samples) and 76.67% (23 samples) positive identification of C. parvum in sheep and goats, respectively. The sequencing demonstrated nucleotide similarities with isolates deriving from Iraq (MG878399.1) and India (JN836324.1) for the sheep isolates, and with isolates deriving from South Korea (DQ054819.1) and the USA (AF159112.1) for the goat isolates. Conclusion: C. parvum is the dominant species in the sheep and goats of Al-Muthanna Province, in southern Iraq. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that the current study’s isolates may share the same ancestor with local and global isolates.

Effects of an App-Based Visitation Program for Mothers of High-Risk Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

This study established an app-based visitation program for mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-constrained by COVID-19 visitation restrictions-and assessed its impact on neonatal perception, maternal-infant attachment, and parental stress. High-risk infants in the NICU encounter heightened challenges, exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions, leading to heightened maternal stress, impaired neonatal perception, and hindered mother-infant attachment. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 40 mothers (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group) unable to visit the NICU of a tertiary general hospital in South Korea. The experimental group utilized the Dodam-Dodam smartphone application, while the control group received neonatal information through telephone calls and text messages. Data collection occurred in July 2022 (control) and September 2022 (experimental) using research instruments (parent's neonatal perception, maternal-infant attachment, and parental stressor scale: NICU, visiting program satisfaction). Descriptive statistics and tests (χ2, Fisher's exact, Shapiro-Wilk, parametric independent t and paired t tests, and nonparametric tests: Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon's signed-rank) were employed for analysis. The Dodam-Dodam application significantly impacted maternal-infant attachment parental stress scores and program satisfaction in the experimental group, except for neonatal perception. The Dodam-Dodam application was more efficacious than traditional visiting programs in enhancing maternal-infant attachment, increasing maternal satisfaction and reducing parental stress within NICU settings amid restricted visitation. Recommendations include app-based NICU visitation, exploring app variations, studying diverse populations, and providing optimal information provision.

Re-Imagining Trade Policy and Energy Efficiency: Groundbreaking Pathways to Strengthen Environmental Sustainability in South Korea

Re-Imagining Trade Policy and Energy Efficiency: Groundbreaking Pathways to Strengthen Environmental Sustainability in South Korea

Nursing process performance measurement tool based on bloom’s revised taxonomy: A validity and reliability analysis

AimThis study aimed to develop a measurement tool that could evaluate educational approaches by integrating the cognitive dimensions required at each stage of the nursing process and strengthening the connection between education and clinical practice. BackgroundThe nursing process is a core component of nursing practice and supports nurses and nursing students in systematically performing the problem-solving process necessary for patient health management. DesignCross-sectional, methodological study. MethodsA nursing process performance measurement tool that could measure the cognitive dimensions required at each stage of the nursing process was developed based on Anderson’s and Bloom’s revised taxonomy. The data for this study were collected from July to August 2023 at four universities in South Korea. The reliability and validity of the measurement tool were evaluated through a survey conducted on 406 nursing students. Participants were third- and fourth-year nursing students with clinical practice experience, recruited through purposive sampling. ResultsThe developed tool was designed to systematically measure and evaluate each step of the nursing process. This tool consisted of 28 questions, each of which was divided into five assessment questions, six diagnosis questions, six planning questions, five implementation questions and six evaluation questions. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (“not at all”) to 5 (“very much”). The measurement score ranged from 28 to 140 points, with higher scores indicating better nursing process performance. The cumulative variance contribution rate of the tool was 68.1 % and the Cronbach’s α value was 0.85 for all items. ConclusionsThis study provides a basis for evaluating educational approaches in nursing curricula by integrating the cognitive dimensions required at each stage of the nursing process. This approach can strengthen the connection between education and clinical practice and can be used not only as a tool to systematically evaluate the learning outcomes of nursing students but also as a standardized nursing process guide.

Job insecurity, life satisfaction and the moderating role of job satisfaction in South Korea

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influences of job insecurity on life satisfaction and to assess the moderating effects of several facets of job satisfaction between job insecurity and life satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the survey conducted in Seoul, this paper runs the hierarchical regression models. Findings The results of this study suggest that job insecurity is detrimental to life satisfaction. Satisfaction with pay and co-workers enhances life satisfaction. Only satisfaction with co-workers exerts a moderating influence. Research limitations/implications The results obtained from Seoul may reflect sample-specific dynamics that may be different from other areas, which may limit the generalizability of the findings of this paper. Practical implications Organizations would be dysfunctional if workers are not satisfied with their life. Therefore, human resource professions must be vigilant about fostering conditions supportive human relations. Originality/value Previous studies revealed that job insecurity has the undermining impact on employees’ life satisfaction. However, there has been little research done to examine the moderating factors of job satisfaction. In this study, it is argued that satisfaction with co-workers is a critical condition in moderating the effect of job insecurity on life satisfaction.

Geological inference of channel and polka-dot seismic anomalies in Yeongil bay, Pohang

The Engineering Ocean Seismic 3D system, which enables ultra-high-resolution seismic surveys on a smaller survey scale, was deployed in Yeongil Bay, Pohang, South Korea. The region is renowned for abundant shallow gas deposits and faults. Based on acoustic impedance contrast and abnormal behavior observations, two seismic anomalies termed channel and polka-dot anomalies have been identified in the seismic volume. Seismic attribute analysis based on the signal amplitude and structural characteristics reveals that these anomalies correspond to shallow biogenic gas deposits. Structural interpretation of the seismic volume revealed that the contractional deformation resulting from post-Miocene neotectonics has resulted in uplift and reverse faulting in the Pohang region, contributing to the formation of anomalies. The channel anomalies correspond to gas-saturated tidal channels that formed during eustatic sea-level changes in the post-Last Glacial Maximum period. The polka-dot anomalies are located in topographic lows and are overlain by neotectonic sediment. The different behaviors of these anomalies in a seismic volume can be attributed to the different thicknesses of overburden overlying each of the anomalies.

Potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in postmenopausal women with chronic kidney disease.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended for alleviating vasomotor symptoms or preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hormone replacement therapy on major adverse cardiovascular events, kidney failure, and mortality in women with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This population-based cohort study analyzed data from the National Cancer Screening Program and the national health examination of South Korea. Data on postmenopausal women were extracted from the 2009 National Cancer Screening Program. Among these postmenopausal women, those with CKD without kidney replacement therapy were selected through a national health examination from 2009 to 2013. The study outcomes were the risks of major adverse cardiovascular events, kidney failure, and all-cause mortality according to hormone replacement therapy. A total of 768,279 postmenopausal women with CKD were enrolled in this study; of these women, 13.8% (N = 106,052) had a history of hormone replacement therapy. The user and non-user groups differed with respect to baseline characteristics, with the latter being older and having risk factors for cardiovascular disease. After adjustment for confounding factors, the group exposed tohormone replacement therapyshowed lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular events, kidney failure, and all-cause mortality. This study suggests the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women with CKD and highlighted its potential advantages for cardiovascular and kidney outcomes.

고등교육 질 관련 연구 동향 분석 및 키워드 네트워크 분석 연구

Objectives This study was conducted to explore and analyze research trends related to the quality of higher education in South Korea by utilizing content analysis and keyword network analysis methods. The target period for the analysis includes publications released between 2013 and March 2024. Methods To achieve this, relevant literature on the quality of higher education in South Korea was selected for analysis. Quantitative content analysis was employed to investigate research trends. Additionally, keywords were extracted from the literature, and analyses of keyword occurrence frequency, co-occurrence frequency, centrality, and community were performed to explore keyword network patterns related to higher education quality. Results The results of the analysis are as follows. First, content analysis revealed that research related to the quality of higher education has been generally increasing, influenced by government policies. The most frequently studied topic was found to be ‘performance management and institutional research’. Second, keyword analysis showed that keywords such as ‘learning outcomes’, ‘educational outcomes’, and ‘quality management’ had high frequency and centrality, indicating that related research has been focused on outputs and performance. Additionally, keywords like ‘learning experience’, ‘student engagement’, and ‘faculty-student interaction’ were found to be relatively highly associated with these core keywords. Conclusions The study concludes that research on the quality of higher education in South Korea is influenced by government policies and is primarily focused on outputs and performance. Therefore, there is a need for diverse policy support from the government to diversify and invigorate research topics related to the quality of higher education.

Demographic transition in South Korea: implications of falling birth rates.

This review examines the critical issues of declining total fertility rates (TFRs) and aging populations in East Asia with special focus on South Korea. It provides a comprehensive analysis of TFR trends, aging demographics, and the policy responses of these nations to the low-fertility crisis. This study highlights the intricate tapestry of the factors contributing to these demographic shifts, including economic, social, and cultural influences. It also examines the effectiveness of various prenatal policies implemented across these countries, offering insight into their successes and limitations. Furthermore, it explores the role of immigration as a potential solution to the structural challenges posed by low birth rates. This review underscores the importance of multifaceted strategies for addressing the complex demographic challenges faced by South Korea.

Trends in South Korean Medical Device Development for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Narrative Review.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are among the most prevalent mental disorders among school-aged youth in South Korea and may play a role in the increasing pressures on teachers and school-based special education programming. A lack of support for special education; tensions between teachers, students, and parents; and limited backup for teacher absences are common complaints among Korean educators. New innovations in technology to screen and treat ADHD and ASD may offer relief to students, parents, and teachers through earlier and efficient diagnosis; access to treatment options; and ultimately, better-managed care and expectations. This narrative literature review provides an account of medical device use and development in South Korea for the diagnosis and management of ADHD and ASD and highlights research gaps. A narrative review was conducted across 4 databases (PubMed, Korean National Assembly Library, Scopus, and PsycINFO). Journal articles, dissertations, and government research and development reports were included if they discussed medical devices for ADHD and ASD. Only Korean or English papers were included. Resources were excluded if they did not correspond to the research objective or did not discuss at least 1 topic about medical devices for ADHD and ASD. Journal articles were excluded if they were not peer reviewed. Resources were limited to publications between 2013 and July 22, 2024. A total of 1794 records about trends in Korean medical device development were categorized into 2 major groups: digital therapeutics and traditional therapy. Digital therapeutics resulted in 5 subgroups: virtual reality and artificial intelligence, machine learning and robot, gaming and visual contents, eye-feedback and movement intervention, and electroencephalography and neurofeedback. Traditional therapy resulted in 3 subgroups: cognitive behavioral therapy and working memory; diagnosis and rating scale; and musical, literary therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Digital therapeutics using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and electroencephalography technologies account for the biggest portions of development in South Korea, rather than traditional therapies. Most resources, 94.15% (1689/1794), were from the Korean National Assembly Library. Limitations include small sizes of populations to conclude findings in many articles, a lower number of articles discussing medical devices for ASD, and a majority of articles being dissertations. Emerging digital medical devices and those integrated with traditional therapies are important solutions to reducing the prevalence rates of ADHD and ASD in South Korea by promoting early diagnosis and intervention. Furthermore, their application will relieve pressures on teachers and school-based special education programming by providing direct supporting resources to students with ADHD or ASD. Future development of medical devices for ADHD and ASD is predicted to heavily rely on digital technologies, such as those that sense people's behaviors, eye movement, and brainwaves.

Unveiling the Patterns of Romance Scams in South Korea

Romance scams, a prevalent form of cybercrime, have surged globally, with South Korea experiencing a rapid rise. Furthermore, perpetrators have adopted increasingly sophisticated tactics. However, South Korea's unique legal framework and the lack of comprehensive regional studies have led to insufficient preventive measures and responses. This research aims to elucidate the modus operandi of South Korean romance scams and highlight their distinguishing features. By employing crime script analysis and conducting interviews with investigators, this study delineated three pre-crime scripts and thirteen criminal event scripts. The research reveals distinctive features of these scams, including the extensive use of KakaoTalk for romantic communications, the significant influence of South Korean cultural norms on scam operations, and the increasing use of advanced technologies such as deepfakes. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the unique dynamics of romance scams in South Korea, thus facilitating the development of more effective preventive strategies and responses.

Molecular detection and genomic characterization of Samak Micromys paramyxovirus-1 and -2 in Micromys minutus, Republic of Korea

BackgroundThe discovery of viruses in small mammalian populations, particularly rodents, has expanded the family Paramyxoviridae. The overlap in habitats between rodents and humans increases the risk of zoonotic events, underscoring the importance of active surveillance. Rodent species, such as Apodemus agrarius, are natural hosts for Paramyxoviridae in the Republic of Korea (ROK). However, it is unknown whether Paramyxoviridae is present in Micromys minutus, another common rodent.MethodHere, we screened M. minutus collected from the Gangwon Province in the ROK for paramyxoviruses using nested polymerase chain reaction and confirm positive samples by next-generation metagenomic sequencing. Complete paramyxovirus genomes were further characterized by phylogenetic analysis, amino acid similarity, secondary structure, and cophylogeny.ResultOverall, 57 of 145 (39.3%) M. minutus kidney samples tested positive for paramyxoviruses. Among them, four whole genome sequences were identified and clustered within the genus Jeilongvirus. One sequence was determined as Samak Micromys paramyxovirus 1 (SMPV-1; 19,911 nucleotides long) and three sequences as Samak Micromys paramyxovirus 2 (SMPV-2; 18,199 nucleotides long). SMPV-1 has a smaller hydrophobic gene and a longer glycoprotein gene than SMPV-2. Cophylogenetic analysis suggests that SMPV-1 evolved through co-divergence, whereas SMPV-2 was inferred to have undergone transfer events.ConclusionThese findings highlight the prevalence of paramyxoviruses in the wild and the potential of M. minutus as a natural viral reservoir. The discovery of SMPV-1 and SMPV − 2 also reveals the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of the genus Jeilongvirus in the Paramyxoviridae.

Assessing Irrigation Efficiency Improvements in Paddy Fields Using Granular SWMM Simulations

As water scarcity intensifies due to climate change, improving the efficiency of agricultural water use has become increasingly critical. Current irrigation systems often experience significant water losses, especially in paddy fields in South Korea that largely rely on open-channel water supply networks. However, previous studies have simulated irrigation improvement strategies by aggregating multiple paddy fields into larger unites rather than modeling them individually, which limits the accurate representation of field conditions. To address this limitation, we applied a granular simulation approach, collecting detailed input data through field surveys. Using this granular model, the study evaluated strategies to enhance irrigation efficiency in paddy fields serviced by the Baekma Agricultural Reservoir in South Korea. We assessed four scenarios: the current open-channel system, conversion of open channels to closed conduits, installation of farm ponds, and a combination of closed conduits and farm ponds. These scenarios were simulated using the Strom Water Management Model (SWMM), meticulously configured to represent individual paddy fields and channel networks. The results show that converting open channels to closed conduits increased irrigation efficiency by 5.4% compared to the current open-channel system. Combining closed conduits with farm ponds achieved the highest efficiency, although the independent effect of farm ponds was minimal. These findings suggested that converting open-channels to closed conduits was a highly effective solution for reducing water losses, while farm ponds played a limited role. This study provides valuable insights into the development of precise irrigation strategies, offering a detailed assessment of real-world conditions in paddy fields.

HPV Vaccination Stages and Associated Factors Among Children of Immigrant Women.

This study aimed to identify key determinants by stage of implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among children of immigrant women in South Korea. Cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample comprised 262 Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean-Chinese women with children living in South Korea. The survey was conducted using self-report questionnaires. The HPV vaccination levels in children were classified into four transition stages. Sequential logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors affecting the transition of HPV vaccination status. Social norms had the greatest influence on the intention to vaccinate. Perceived barriers were a significant factor associated with intention or initiation of vaccination, whereas perceived severity and susceptibility were associated with the intention and initiation stages, respectively. Upon the initiation of HPV vaccination, low perception of discrimination in healthcare was associated with continued vaccination. Given the importance of completing multiple doses of the HPV vaccine within a given timeframe, it is important to provide culturally appropriate interventions in stages to prevent dropouts.

뉴스 기사 빅데이터 분석을 통한 북한이탈주민의 사회적 이슈와 언어 문제 탐색: 2019-2024

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore social issues and language problems that appear in news articles related to North Korean defectors and to suggest their implications. Methods 561 news articles related to North Korean defectors covered by major domestic newspapers and media companies from 2019 to June 2024 were collected. For analysis tools, language network analysis and topic modeling techniques were used to analyze major keywords and topics and visualize them. In addition, based on the analysis results, social issues and language problems of North Korean defectors were explored, and Korean language education implications were presented. Results he research results are as follows. First, the amount of news coverage has been increasing significantly over the past three years, and political articles have shown an overwhelmingly high proportion. Second, the main keywords are ‘government, support, human rights, protection, and settlement’. The main topics were protection of human rights of North Korean defectors, increasing number of North Korean defectors among elites and the 2030 generation, and complaints of difficulties due to mental and economic discrimination and prejudice in the process of settling in Korea. The content of the government's integrated support policy accounted for a high proportion. Third, it was found that North Korean defectors were struggling with the language difference between North and South Korea, and Korean language education focusing on pronunciation, accent, and vocabulary in each area was necessary for them. Conclusions The main topic of the news article was the integrated support for the protection of human rights and stable settlement of North Korean defectors. However, although North Korean defectors complain of ‘difficulty’ due to economic, psychological, emotional, and linguistic differences, these related topics are hardly covered in the media. Therefore, this paper suggested implications for Korean language education research for North Korean defectors' language adaptation.

Reservoir-based flood forecasting and warning: deep learning versus machine learning

In response to increasing flood risks driven by the climate crisis, urban areas require advanced forecasting and informed decision-making to support sustainable development. This study seeks to improve the reliability of reservoir-based flood forecasting and ensure adequate lead time for effective response measures. The main objectives are to predict hourly downstream flood discharge at a reference point, compare discharge predictions from a single reservoir with a four-hour lead time against those from three reservoirs with a seven-hour lead time, and evaluate the accuracy of data-driven approaches. The study takes place in the Han River Basin, located in Seoul, South Korea. Approaches include two non-deep learning (NDL) (random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR)) and two deep learning (DL) (long short-term memory (LSTM), gated recurrent unit (GRU)). Scenario 1 incorporates data from three reservoirs, while Scenario 2 focuses solely on Paldang reservoir. Results show that RF performed 4.03% (in R2) better than SVR, while GRU performed 4.69% (in R2) better than LSTM in Scenario 1. In Scenario 2, none of the models showed any outstanding performance. Based on these findings, we propose a two-step reservoir-based approach: Initial predictions should utilize models for three upstream reservoirs with long lead time, while closer to the event, the model should focus on a single reservoir with more accurate prediction. This work stands as a significant contribution, making accurate and well-timed predictions for the local administrations to issue flood warnings and execute evacuations to mitigate flood damage and casualties in urban areas.

중년 대상 음악문화예술교육 연구 동향

Objectives This study aims to analyze the trends of research on music and cultural arts education for middle-aged adults in South Korea and discuss future challenges. Methods To achieve the research objectives, the study conducted a literature search using key terms such as ‘middle-aged’, ‘adults’, ‘music and cultural arts education’, ‘music’, ‘choir’, and ‘performance’. Following a four-step selection process, 20 relevant papers were analyzed based on established analytical categories. Results The research has increased since 2011-2015, with master's theses comprising the highest proportion. The primary subjects of these studies were middle-aged women aged 40-60, focusing mainly on the analysis of effects and impacts. Personal domain topics were frequently addressed, with quantitative research being the predominant method. Among the various music activities, singing was the most commonly studied. Conclusions The findings highlight the need for further research targeting middle-aged men, the development of programs and content exploration, as well as literature reviews and qualitative research approaches. Future studies in these areas could contribute to the design and advancement of music and cultural arts education for middle-aged adults, both academically and practically.