• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.201-220
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• 2010

Geographical name is not only a spoken or written language that has been constructed as a linguistic element, but it is also a geographical phenomenon and a cultural element. Based upon this consciousness, the purpose of this paper is to examine current classification and management systems of the geographical names in Korea and to propose a new alternative classification and maintenance of the geographical names. In particular, the paper suggests three categories for the type classification of the geographical names: morpheme, linguistic change, and contestation types. In turn, this paper investigates the index of the geographical names contained in THE NATIONAL ATLAS OF KOREA (2007) on the basis of the preceding classification types in order to unveil the practical problems and limitations of the current classification articulated in the national atlas. This paper also proposes a new classification of the geographical naming that reflects the divisions of front and back morpheme of geographical names. Finally, from the discussions with the reinforcement of National Committee on Geographical Names, this paper invokes administrative and institutional protection and systematical management of the contesting and unofficial small scaled geographical names that have been set apart from the current geographical name standardization.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.53-61
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• 2013

This study has a research objective to suggest detailed rules and principles to transcribe geographical names in English for English version electronic map service. For this, guidelines which are used in English transcription of local geographical names in Korea and English transcription situations of Korea geographical names in foreign electronic map service were examined. Examining results of current situations showed the English transcription method of home and abroad geographical names caused the chaos because it is not homogenized. In order to identify easy and preferred transcription method for foreigners among English transcription methods about the geographical names which are used together like this, the preference of English transcription methods of the geographical names was examined targeting foreigners. Survey results showed that foreigners prefer to transcribe in Roman character (Romanization) with its semantic word together than just to transcribe the Roman character. Reflecting this preference research results, our country's geographical names were classified as Natural features, Cultural features and man-made structures, and Administrative units and the detailed English transcription rules and principles of each geographical names were suggested.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.428-439
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• 2010

Map of geographical names can give us information for understanding of region because geographical name reflects regional perception of human. This study aimed to make an web-based map by constructing database of geographical names. Main contents carried out research on methods for classification of geographical names, database construction, and mapping on the website. Geographical name classified into four categories of the physical geography, culture and historical geography, economic geography, and the other and also, 18 sub-categories by classification criteria. Geographical name designed to input by collecting geographical names from paper-based maps and vernacular place names only known to the local region. Fields of database consisted of address, coordinates, geographical name(hangeul, hanja), classification, explanation, photographs. Map of geographical names can be represented with regional geographical information. The result of research is expected to offer information for distribution of geographical names as well as regional interpretation.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.11 no.3 s.26
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• pp.41-46
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• 2003

Marine geographical names refer to the names for the geographical forms in nature such as oceans, straits, bays, inlets, and channels as well as the various undersea form including reefs and trenches. Marine geographical forms, lying under the sea, are different from those in land and are related directly and indirectly to the safe navigation of ships, that is, property and life of human beings. Marine geographical names have not been correctly named and used so far as in the case of using the name 'Sea of Japan' instead of 'East Sea' Marine geographical names have been created arbitrarily from various sources including researchers, institutes, and academic societies, which leads to confusion and makes it difficult for those to be acknowledged internationally. This paper examines the uniqueness and technicality of marine geographical names and analyzes the efforts and status for the standardization processes in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.3 s.114
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• pp.283-300
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• 2006

Gaesung city of North Korea is meaningful because of the development of Gaesung industrial complex as a peace-building project and economical cooperation works between South Korea and North Korea. This article presents the characteristics of natural landscape of Gaesung through geographical names. This research was studied by literature analysis of North Korea, depth interview of North Korean labour and refugees, and second times fieldwork. The main results of this study are as follows. Firstly, the mountain landscape of Geasung revealed on geographical names characterized mountainousness and round shape. Especially, the places where are enclosed by mountain and streams are foggy and rocky. Next the landscape of stream characterizes sandy, unstable, and tidal river. Thirdly the fauna and flora which are reflected on geographical names are hawk, snake, tiger, homed owl, snapping turtle, chestnut tree, pine tree, pear tree, zelkova tree, and willow etcetera. The environmental conditions of habitation of these are similar to the natural environment of Gaesung. Besides, the geographical names related to soil distributed in northern mountain area of Geasung. The place names implicated cliff located on the riverside. In addition to this, the geographical name of 'Bul' implicated plain distributed in the riverside of 'Seoam' which a branch stream of 'Sacheo'. And the place names related rock located in place enclosed by mountain, river, and village. In cnclusion, Gaesung is more important to us as the Gaesung industrial complex and tourism development. But the fundamental research on Gaesung is a few because Gaesung belongs to North Korea. Therefore, this research will be useful for the control and management of Gaesung in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.442-464
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• 2011

This study aims to provide research fields and topics to complement, extend and develop the geographical toponymy in Korea, largely based on a summary of topics discussed in the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN). The Korean toponymic research has generally focused on revealing human, social and physical characteristics of the region by investigating the creation and change of the geographical names, with the perspective of creator and owner of the toponyms. Toponymic researches in the UNGEGN, in comparison, have put forward with the mission of standardization of geographical names and with specific emphasis on the users of toponyms. The topics include diverse forms of toponyms by user groups, roles of language groups, preservation of toponyms with specific value, etc. As research directions for an establishment of extended geographical toponymy accommodating discussions in the UNGEGN, further research topics are suggested; use of exonyms and endonyms in the Korean language, the nature of geographical feature and perception over it, writing systems for inter-language communication, and geographical names as intagible cultural heritage.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2004

This paper deals with a possible contribution to international relations and affairs by the discipline of geography and raises the necessity of a new field in geography that would study relations between nations. The proposed change of the name 'East Sea' is used as a case study in promoting international standardization. Two major international organizations oversee the international standardization of geographical names. One is the UN Conferences of the Standardization of the Geographical Names which work in association with the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names, and the other is the International Hydrographic Organization. These two organizations have in the past passed all the relevant resolutions pertaining to geographical names. From recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, however, it has become evident that international disputes on place names sometimes require a long process of consultation with the relevant parties. Efforts being made to restore the historically appropriate name of 'East Sea' as opposed to the 'Sea of Japan' have only now begun to diffuse in many areas. It would be appropriate if geographers could develop a new area of 'Geography of International Relations' that deals with WTO, oceans, environment and climatic issues, FAT, as well as territories and boundaries. Furthermore, it would improve the quality of discourse if geographers participated more in the decision-making processes in international affairs.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.5 s.116
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• pp.623-629
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• 2006

At present, 3 names about undersea features in the East Sea - Korean Plateau, Tsushima Basin, Syun-yo Bank - are listed on Gazetteer Any explanations are not given for registration of these names. Just it seems that the names written on International marine chart(INT 511) were recorded to Gazetteer. Furthermore Tsushima Basin and Syun-yo Bank have no oceanographic, geologic reason and geographical relevance, and the names should be replaced by Ulleung Basin and Isabu Tablemount, respectively, that is deeply related to geographical relevance and genetic origin.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.255-272
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• 2006

This study was investigated to the geography services and geographical directories through Internet in order to develop a geographical directory. Research method was the examination of different type of geography services through internet and geographical directories on the Internet search engines. The results show principles for a geographical directory construction: use both geographical names and subject names on the initial directory screen, repeated use the names through directory hierarchy, locality use on bottom directory as a geographical name, and fit use of the number of directories.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.706-722
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• 2009

This study aims to find the ways to correct and fix the errors in transcription by analyzing Romanization of Korean geographical names in foreign countries. The gazetteers from many countries, place name databases, and map-providing websites are the main source of research. Common error types found in this study are variant name posting, subordinated marking, double posting, spelling errors, and location errors. In fact, transcription of geographical names exhibits more diverse forms and types. The counter measures to fix these errors are as follows, firstly, consistent efforts with regular monitoring to fix errors are essential. Secondly, the one and only standardized Romanization principle is urgent. Thirdly, prompt update and publication in case of place name and/or boundary change is necessary. Fourthly, efforts to register unregistered geographical names are necessary. Lastly, the establishment of central agency solely for the management of geographical names is required.