• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.636-644
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• 2015

In this paper, we examined factors that affect the success of a policy on trekking time restriction using questionnaire survey data collected from the visitors of seven national parks where the trekking time restriction policy is in force as of 2014. Results suggest that the trekking time restriction policy has been successfully publicized. In total, 60.7% of the survey respondents were aware of trekking time restrictions in the national parks they were visiting. Using exploratory factor analysis, we identified three latent factors (visitors' careless trekking, park rangers' insufficient management and visitors' unpreparedness) that the visitors perceived the causes of trekking accidents in the national parks. Multiple regression analysis on the three extracted factors and respondents' socioeconomic status shows that the respondents who read information signs in national parks and who judged visitors' careless trekking and visitors' unpreparedness as the causes of trekking accidents tended to agree more with restricting trekking time. These results indicate that visitors who do not agree with the trekking time restriction tend to attribute trekking accidents in national parks not to individual visitors, suggesting that educating visitors is more effective in preventing trekking accidents in national parks than installing and maintaining safety facilities by park rangers.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2006

This study was conducted on the visitors regarding their usage and evaluation state of the interpretive media which is utilized as a self-guide environment interpretation for the purpose of accumulating basic data for the park management. A questionnaire survey was chosen and the 275 valid samples among them were analyzed. The socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics of the visitors turned out to be similar with the results from another visitor survey in the same site. Among those who used the interpretive media, the largest proportion(77%) used the information board resources of the park; the usage rate of interpretive labels of woody plants, interpretive signs of cultural assets, and LED signs were shown to be relatively high. The usage of park brochures, park web sites, visitor center exhibits, and bulletin boards were less than 40% each. Visitors were asked to evaluate the importance and performance of the nine interpretive medias using a Likert Scale whose value ranges from one to five. The result recorded averaged above 4, which proved that the respondents were perceiving the importance of all forms of interpretive media greatly. The performance of interpretive media was also evaluated as affirmative, except the visitor center exhibits.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.187-187
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• 2019

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.210-210
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• 2018

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to understand users' attitudes for trail structure conditions in Dobong district, Bukhansan National Park, Korea. For this purpose, the research conducted a respondent's-personal entry-method based questionnaire survey on 250 visitors using inquiry routes in Dobong areas in Bukhansan National Park in July, 2007. The survey result showed that the 6 types of pedestrian trail structures were relatively in better shape in its quality and quantity while the responses for 3 types of structures, such as wood deck, wood railings, and stone paving, were positive in terms of harmony with landscape, preservation of resources, and user convenience. In conclusion, it is considered to be essential to bring in nature-friendly materials for walking facilities in National Parks and also necessary to consider the visual effect arising from the harmony with landscape together with the functions of conservation of resources and inquiry convenience.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.46-57
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• 2018

To increase knowledge regarding the ecotourism market in Korea, this study conducted a market segmentation based on tourists' motivations and attitudes. An onsite survey of visitors to Daebu Haesol 1 gil, Gyeonggi Province, was conducted from late November 2016 to early January 2017. An exploratory factor analysis and K-means cluster analysis were employed to identify market segments by using data collected from 434 respondents. The results showed three distinct segments labelled 'Nature Seeking Responsible Tourists', 'Passive Nature Seeking Tourists' and 'Nature/Cohesion Seeking Responsible Tourists.' All three segments had different levels of 'escape', 'health' and 'cohesion' motivations but commonly they all had a relatively high level of 'nature' motivation. As they also differed from each other in terms of sociodemographic and travel related characteristics as well as satisfaction level, it was concluded that motivation and attitudes of responsibility can be used for ecotourism market segmentation. A significant implication is that this research confirmed that the indicators on tourists' attitude of responsibility toward local communities are useful in segmenting visitors to ecotourism sites, which have been rarely studied in previous ecotourism market studies.

• The Journal of the Korean Institute of Forest Recreation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.83-94
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• 2018

The present study applies the servicescape concept in the domain of Natural Parks to examine the impact of a natural park's servicescape on visitors' perceived value, overall satisfaction, and behavior intention. The study's findings suggest that the components of Natural Parks' servicescape can be evaluated based on three factors; including facilities, convenience, and comfort, accessibility to the park, and facilities inside the park, such as parking lots, bathrooms, and resting areas, in addition to other facilities. The results also revealed that if visitors had a favorable impression of the park facilities, they would have a favorable impression on the value of the intangible experiences, and general satisfaction and behavior intentions would be positive. Particularly, visitors perceive time in the course of a visit to be valuable, which in turn influences the comfort servicescape factor, which suggests the importance of continuous effort from Natural Park management to ensure a clean and pleasant environment. The present study is the first time the concept of servicescape has been applied in the domain of Natural Parks. Follow-up studies are required to improve the reliability and generalization of the research results.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.585-593
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• 2009

This study is a survey on the general perceptions of the residents and visitors regarding the Nature Restoration Period in Chilsun Valley in Jirisan National park, and it was designed to establish systematic park management plan for the Special Protected Areas in Korean National Parks. This survey was conducted on the residents of five towns including Chuseong-ri, Gwangjum-dong, Uijung-ri, Uitan-ri and Uipyeong-ri, as well as visitors to Chilsun Valley by using convenience sampling. The result showed that those individuals or groups who responded to the survey were all positive about preservatory effect of Nature Restoration Period in the valley; however they also showed major perceptional differences as to the ways in which the nature restoration period managed. They also disagreed among themselves on the assessment of the extent of damage that could be generated due to the restoration, the appropriateness of the Nature Restoration Period as a management policy and maintenance of the policy in the future. The appropriateness as a policy and the extent of damage due to the Nature Restoration Period particularly showed some serious perceptional differences among five resident groups based on the location of their towns. To minimize current conflict and achieve the goal of Nature Restoration Period, the park management authorities need to communicate more actively with the stakeholders of the local community and NGOs, and secure their support and cooperation by accommodating their ideas and opinions to build a strategic partnership.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.249-262
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• 2004

This study was conducted to suggest alternatives for the effective use of national park visitor centers, by evaluating their functionality. Visitor centers in Naejangsan National Park and Pukhansan National Park, which are deliberately composed and managed, were investigated for this purpose. First, I clarified the concept, function and type of a visitor center through literature review, and then, analyzed visitors' post-visiting evaluation based on McManus's Communication Theory. The results of the analysis shows that visitors have not enough time to understand the contents of visitor centers, and facilities and guide sign system to support visitors are insufficient, which seem to disturb the proper communication between visitors and exhibits. Visitors' short visiting time caused by their little interest in exhibits and their low degree of understanding show the difficulties in the communication between visitors and exhibits. The following alternatives are suggested to improve these problems: first, the improvement of the guide sign system; second, the provision of exhibition rooms specialized for different visitor groups; third, the display of exhibits connected with visitors' experiences; Forth, the utilization of various media proper for each subject.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.134-148
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• 2007

There is not enough knowledge on how to use, build, and apply ubiquitous technologies such as the ubiquitous sensor network, GIS, statistic analysis system, mobile GPS system etc. Also there are other questions such as, how should the knowledge information resources be managed and web decision making system developed for national park management. The purpose of this study is to propose a framework for the national park integrated management system based on ubiquitous information technology. This study will include followings: 1) this study explores what ubiquitous information technologies are needed for national park management, 2) this study proposes building strategies about the spatial and attribute database using ubiquitous information technologies, and links methods among geographic information system, analysis program, sensor network, etc. The results of this study will contribute towards deciding a direction for national park policy in preparation for the ubiquitous computing oriented society.