• Women's Studies Review
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.139-173
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• 2012

This paper examines the delayed situations for gender equality in South Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese families despite the challenge to the gender division of labor in modern society, and to analyze the contradiction between the notions of gender equality and the experiences women face in East Asia countries. Using EASS data, we analyze the effective difference over the division of household labor according to women's age and length of school time, attitude for gender division of labor, couple's labor time, and family network. In South Korea and Taiwan, men's actual ratio of household division is higher than Japanese men's. On the other hand, Japanese women's ratio of household division is the highest in spite of their progressive attitude for gender equality. It is due to the difference of women's working time among the countries. In South Korea and Taiwan, women tend to work in full time job, so that they seem to inevitably reduce the time for household labor. The family characteristics have an effect on the women's ratio of household division in Taiwan, and the feature of women's employment does in South Korea. The high percentage of three-generation household contributes to the reduction of housework burden in Taiwan. In South Korea, the higher women's education levels, the higher the women's ratio of household division. Women's weakened bargaining power for household labor is due to the relatively low level of high-educated women's economic participation in South Korea. This paper reveals the effective factors on the gender division of household labor. We propose the necessity of the macro-level analysis as well as the analysis of the personal and conjugal feature.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.909-930
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• 2022

Although the electricity tariff for each customer class in Korea has an institutional basis which can be linked to cost fluctuations caused by the increase in fuel cost, there is a situation in which it cannot be raised in a timely manner, considering the national economic burden such as inflation. There can be some disagreements about unconditionally raising electricity rates when cost increases occur. It is, however, well known that Korean domestic electricity rates are very low around the world and are in an environment in which rates are not easily adjusted. Moreover, as Korean electricity rates cannot be easily raised due to various factors, domestic electricity rates for each customer class itself have not delivered a desirable price signal for power consumption. Based on historical data such as fuel costs and power production by power source from 2017 to 2020, this study estimated how much power consumption would change if electricity rates were adjusted in 2030 and price signal distortion was resolved. As a result of the estimation, power consumption will be reduced by 9,000 GWh if the current electricity bill is adjusted to a level which can be 100% recovered even with the supply cost alone. This led to a reduction of about 3.82 million CO₂tons of greenhouse gas emissions in the Korean power sector.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2023

Due to the prolonged impact of COVID-19, the demand for Information Technology (IT) products is increasing, and their production facilities are expanded. Consequently, the use of harmful and dangerous chemicals are increased, the risk of fire(s) and explosion(s) is also elevated. In order to mitigate these risks, the government sets standards, such as KS C IEC 60079-10-1, and manages explosion-prone hazardous facilities where flammable substances are manufactured, used, and handled. However, using the standards of KS, it is difficult to predict the actual possibility of an explosion in a facility, because ventilation (an important factor) is not considered when setting up a hazardous work environment. In this study, the SEMI S6, Tracer Gas Test was applied to the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) facility, a major part of the display industry, to evaluate ventilation performance and to confirm the possibility of creating a less explosive environment. Based on the results, it was confirmed that the ventilation performance in the assumed scenarios met the standards stipulated in SEMI S6, along with supporting the possibility of creating a less explosive working condition. Therefore, it is recommended to use the prediction tool using engineering techniques, as well as KS standards, in such hazardous environments to prevent accidents and/or reduce economic burden following accidents.

• Strategy21
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• s.32
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• pp.192-221
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• 2013

In order to deal with the current economic crisis, the U.S. government, as a part of its austerity fiscal policy, implemented a budget sequester. The sequester will hit the U.S. defense budget the hardest, and as a result will most likely put the security of the international community in jeopardy. The U.S. will have to cut 46 billion dollars from its original 525 billon defense spending in 2013. And by the year 2022, will have to cut 486.9 billion dollars. Such an astronomical decrease in the U.S. defense spending will inevitably burden the friendly nations. According to recent studies, pirate related incidents in Somalia, where piracy is most active, has declined from its 226 incidents to 76 incidents per year in 2012, a 66% drop from previous years'. However, piracy threats as well as those related to firearms still remain and thus participants of anti-piracy operations, namely the U.S., U.K., France, Canada, NCC, EUNAVFOR, and NATO, are facing a problem of declining forces. Considering the current situation as well as rising expectations from the international community, Republic of Korea, a supporter of NCC's maritime security operation, not to mention its foremost duty of securing its sea, is at a stage to re-examine its operational picture. Such action will be a good opportunity for Republic of Korea to build the trust and live up to the international community's expectation. To quote from the network theory, although in relation to other friendly nations participating in the anti-piracy operation, Republic of Korea currently remains at a single cell level, this opportunity will certainly develop Korea to a 'node' nation in which power and information would flow into. Through this expansion of operational capability, Republic of Korea will be able to exert more influence as a more developed nation. Currently however, not only is the single 4,500 ton class destroyer deployed in Somalia a limited unit to further expand the scale and amount of force projection in the area, but also the total of six 4,500 ton class destroyers ROK feet possess is at a high fatigue degree due to standard patrolling operations, midshipman cruise and the RIMPAC exercise. ROK fleet therefore must consider expanding the number of ships deployed along with either deploying combat support ships or constructing logistics support site in the African region. Thus, by expanding its operational capabilities and furthermore by abiding to the rightful responsibilities of a middle power nation, Republic of Korea will surely earn its respect among the members of the international community.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.72
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• pp.49-70
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to suggest a response and solution through Christian educational care to the crisis and change of the era of low birth rate faced by Korean society and the Korean church. This study proposes to find an alternative to the biblical aspect of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood as God's blessing for the demographic cliff and low birth rate problem that have become a reality in Korean society and churches. Being a parent in an age of low birth rate is very difficult, but on the other hand, it gives happiness and joy. Being a parent is a blessing from God, and is the most important and valuable thing in life. However, modern society emphasizes the right and necessity to choose one's own parenthood status. In the nuclear family, the decrease in the number of children, and the development of child research, parents feel more responsibility and economic burden for raising children than ever before. Therefore, it is a reality that the number of people who delay becoming parents or voluntarily do not have children is gradually increasing. To improve the perception of becoming a parent due to a decrease in responsibility for raising children, it is necessary to shed light on marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing from a Christian educational point of view. In addition, it is necessary to understand the recognition of being a parent and the characteristics of childbirth and rearing, and to analyze past and present value changes. This study will also discuss the causes of low birthrate and try to provide Christian educational care for childcare including solving the low birthrate problem.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.1043-1061
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to evaluate cost side by type of long term care services economically, and then to discuss the findings and implications for the results of analysis. For this research, primary caregivers that provide care the elderly requiring long term care services sanctioned by National Health Insurance Corporation were drawn and surveyed. Among collected data, data for 422 primary caregivers were used for this study. The subjects used in this study consisted of family caregivers from various settings that give care to the elderly. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. First, caregiver's household income level is low. Therefore, caregiving families with the elderly are likely to have financial difficulties. Second, under coverage of long term care insurance system, the direct cost caregiving households pay for the elderly is still very high. Third, indirect cost of caregiving households accounted for the larger proportion caregiving costs. Fourth, social cost burden for caregiving the elderly is very high. This cost amount is appropriately equal to household income of caregivers surveyed in the research. Fifth, service use cost of caregiving households is differentiated by type of long term care service. Sixth, direct cost of caregiving households is statistically significantly differentiated by type of long term care service, but is differentiated less than service use cost. Seventh, social indirect cost for caregiving the elderly is statistically significantly differentiated by type of long term care service. Eighth, social cost amounts for the elderly utilizing long term care service is very high, total social cost per capita by types of long term care service tend to converge on average social cost per capita of total service.

• Journal of the Korea Knowledge Information Technology Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.351-357
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• 2018

This study is on the elderly people's use and experience of a wearable device. By using wearable device, the elderly can monitor their health data at real time. As a result, their motivation for health care, exercise, and so on can improve and enhance. Across the globe, population aging becomes one of the most important problems in each nation. The social and economic burden from aging is one of most serious challenges to sustainability of the world and its economy, including South Korea. Information Communication Technology including wearable device can help the elderly health care improve. In 2016, the number of wearable devices is more than 19 million. Many of them are the devices related to health data monitoring. In the experiment, the authors measure real time health data from the subjects' wearable devices. In the first experiment day, subjects' average waist size was 36.29 inches. In the final experiment day, 31st day later from start of the experiment, the average waist size was 35.51 inches. At the beginning of the experiment, standard deviation was 1.93. At the final day of the experiment, it was 2.24. In regression analysis, when experiment day extends, average waist size seems to decrease. The trend is significant (t=2.719, p<0.05). That result may mean the subjects' motivation for health care improve. Wearable device can increase the elderly people's motivation for health care and exercise. As a result, their health can improve.

• Journal of the Korea Knowledge Information Technology Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.305-317
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• 2018

This study is about the elderly people's use and experience of Virtual Reality (VR) in order to enhance their quality of life. Leisure is main activity of the elderly. As a result, the quality and diversity of leisure affects the quality of the elderly people's life. VR services including video contents could provide them with advanced and interesting experiences. Across the world, population aging becomes one of the most important problems in each society. The social and economic burden of aging is serious challenge to sustainability welfare of the world, including S. Korea. The authors used virtual reality devices to conduct experiments on 99 aged 50 to 90 (men's average age : 75 and women's average age : 70.8). Through the survey, major variants were measured such as system quality, present sense, enjoyment, intent to reuse, and awareness of advanced technology. Multiple regression analyses with the presence as a dependent variable resulted in a sense of closeness (t = 5.381, p <. 01) and a sense of clarity (t = 4.494, p <. 01). The presence of an independent variant had significant effects on pleasure (t = 4.312, p <. 01) and significant effects on the intent to reuse (t = 3.323,).Therefore, it can be interpreted that the higher the sense of existence, the more pleasure and the intent to reuse it. As a result, the possibility of using VR devices and content to enjoy leisure activities can be found in this study even if the elderly group is unfamiliar with IT devices.

• Journal of the Korea Knowledge Information Technology Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.327-339
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• 2018

This study is on the elderly people's use and experience of pet robots (companion robots). Applying companion robots for the elderly's daily lives can enhance their quality of life. Leisure is main activity of the elderly who are out of work. Therefore, the quality and diversity of leisure can affect the quality of their life. Companion Robots could provide them with more advanced and interesting experiences. Around the world, population aging becomes one of the most important trends in each country. The social and economic burden of aging is serious challenge on sustainability of the world, including S. Korea. The authors examine use of Companion Robots for elderly (from 50 years old to 90 years old). In this experiment, the authors study and measure many factors including system quality, interface quality, displeasure, enjoyment, willingness to reuse, perception on new technology. In regression analysis, intimacy(t=-2.006, p<.05) is significant factor on displeasure of Companion Robot. In another regression, displeasure of Companion Robot (independent variable) is significant factor on enjoyment(t=-3.327, p<.01) and willingness to reuse(t=-2.636, p<.01). Therefore, when elderly one feels less displeasure of Companion Robot, he/she feels more enjoyment and willingness to reuse. As a result, the elderly who don't familiar to new technology could improve quality of life and leisure activity by using companion robot.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.75-97
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• 2013

While good return policies are suggested as one of the critical services for e-commerce, ambivalence between the burden of the cost and shoppers' satisfaction may prevent e-tailers from increasing their level of leniency. Based on the S-O-R model, this study has attempted to develop a grounded theory to explain how lenient return policies shape online shoppers' perceptions and responses, with a focus on cultural influences in the relationship. In order to check the cultural effects of the lenient return policy, thirty two female and eleven male undergraduate students in South Korean shoppers, who are accustomed to strict return policies, participated in the semi-structured interview. A series of open-ended questions were designed to explore consumers' reactions toward four different levels of the lenient return policy: from the strict type in South Korea to the lenient type in the U.S. Using qualitative research methods, this research has defined three types of dimensions of lenient return policy: return possible period, complexity of progress, and other restrictions. While previous researchers did not pay much attention, the last dimension, other restrictions, is shown to be the most significant in influencing online shoppers' perceptions, especially in South Korea. Also, the impacts on online shoppers' perceptions from the three types of sub-dimensions of return policy were somewhat different. Whereas a longer return possible period was considered more favorable, a medium level of complexity and restrictions were considered more desirable. In summary, this result showed that shoppers in Eastern cultures, i.e. South Korean online shoppers, seem favorable to a medium level of lenient return policies, while allowing for taking precautions against possible fraudulent behaviors and setting other restrictions. Therefore, most of retailers in South Korea recommended that e-tailers who adopt the most lenient return policies raise the bar to guard ethical shoppers from fraudulent users. Next, lenient return policies can enhance ease of use, usefulness, affect, and trust while relieving perceived risk, which is connected to intention to purchase, satisfaction, and loyalty. Interestingly, lenient return policies are more likely to change the behavioral responses of online shoppers, such as return and purchase, rather than change their attitudes or beliefs such as image, satisfaction, and loyalty. This tendency can be seen more clearly in the direct influences of return policy on responses. The reaction to lenient return policy is mostly the intention to return or to purchase. This suggests that return policy serves the e-tailers as a powerful tool in increasing online shoppers' purchase intention at the moment of purchase. Therefore, e-tailers who plan to expand their market to eastern countries, including South Korea, have to build a shield of restrictions around their lenient return policy, rather than immediately applying their original liberalized return policy. Also, e-tailers in South Korea need to review their strict and undifferentiated return policies to deal with the unsatisfied reactions of online shoppers toward their normal return policies. Although the present study was confined to the return policies currently being practiced by popular e-tailers, it would be worthwhile to develop effective return policies separately for each country, especially South Korea, keeping the culture of the relevant country in mind.