• Title/Summary/Keyword: Technology & Home Economic

Search Result 118, Processing Time 0.02 seconds

An Exploratory Study on the Status of and Demand for Higher Education Programs in Fashion in Myanmar (미얀마의 패션 고등교육 현황과 수요에 대한 탐색적 연구)

  • Kang, Min-Kyung;Jin, Byoungho Ellie;Cho, Ahra;Lee, Hyojeong;Lee, Jaeil;Lee, Yoon-Jung
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
    • /
    • v.34 no.3
    • /
    • pp.1-23
    • /
    • 2022
  • This study examined the perceptions of Myanmar university students and professors regarding the status and necessity of higher education programs in fashion. Data were collected from professors in textile engineering at Yangon Technological University and Myanmar university students. Closed- and open-ended questions were asked either through interviews or by email. The responses were analyzed using keyword extraction and categorization, and descriptive statistics(closed questions). Generally, the professors perceived higher education, as well as the cultural industries including art and fashion, as important for Myanmar's social and economic development. According to the students interests in pursuing a degree in textile were limited, despite the high interest in fashion. Low wages in the apparel industry and lack of fashion degrees that meet the demand of students were cited as reasons. The demand was high for educational programs in fashion product development, fashion design, pattern-making, fashion marketing, branding, management, costume history, and cultural studies. Students expected to find their future career in textiles and clothing factories. Many students wanted to be hired by global fashion brands for higher salaries and training for advanced knowledge and technical skills. They perceived advanced fashion education programs will have various positive effects on Myanmar's national economy.

Research Framework for International Franchising (국제프랜차이징 연구요소 및 연구방향)

  • Kim, Ju-Young;Lim, Young-Kyun;Shim, Jae-Duck
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
    • /
    • v.18 no.4
    • /
    • pp.61-118
    • /
    • 2008
  • The purpose of this research is to construct research framework for international franchising based on existing literature and to identify research components in the framework. Franchise can be defined as management styles that allow franchisee use various management assets of franchisor in order to make or sell product or service. It can be divided into product distribution franchise that is designed to sell products and business format franchise that is designed for running it as business whatever its form is. International franchising can be defined as a way of internationalization of franchisor to foreign country by providing its business format or package to franchisee of host country. International franchising is growing fast for last four decades but academic research on this is quite limited. Especially in Korea, research about international franchising is carried out on by case study format with single case or empirical study format with survey based on domestic franchise theory. Therefore, this paper tries to review existing literature on international franchising research, providing research framework, and then stimulating new research on this field. International franchising research components include motives and environmental factors for decision of expanding to international franchising, entrance modes and development plan for international franchising, contracts and management strategy of international franchising, and various performance measures from different perspectives. First, motives of international franchising are fee collection from franchisee. Also it provides easier way to expanding to foreign country. The other motives including increase total sales volume, occupying better strategic position, getting quality resources, and improving efficiency. Environmental factors that facilitating international franchising encompasses economic condition, trend, and legal or political factors in host and/or home countries. In addition, control power and risk management capability of franchisor plays critical role in successful franchising contract. Final decision to enter foreign country via franchising is determined by numerous factors like history, size, growth, competitiveness, management system, bonding capability, industry characteristics of franchisor. After deciding to enter into foreign country, franchisor needs to set entrance modes of international franchising. Within contractual mode, there are master franchising and area developing franchising, licensing, direct franchising, and joint venture. Theories about entrance mode selection contain concepts of efficiency, knowledge-based approach, competence-based approach, agent theory, and governance cost. The next step after entrance decision is operation strategy. Operation strategy starts with selecting a target city and a target country for franchising. In order to finding, screening targets, franchisor needs to collect information about candidates. Critical information includes brand patent, commercial laws, regulations, market conditions, country risk, and industry analysis. After selecting a target city in target country, franchisor needs to select franchisee, in other word, partner. The first important criteria for selecting partners are financial credibility and capability, possession of real estate. And cultural similarity and knowledge about franchisor and/or home country are also recognized as critical criteria. The most important element in operating strategy is legal document between franchisor and franchisee with home and host countries. Terms and conditions in legal documents give objective information about characteristics of franchising agreement for academic research. Legal documents have definitions of terminology, territory and exclusivity, agreement of term, initial fee, continuing fees, clearing currency, and rights about sub-franchising. Also, legal documents could have terms about softer elements like training program and operation manual. And harder elements like law competent court and terms of expiration. Next element in operating strategy is about product and service. Especially for business format franchising, product/service deliverable, benefit communicators, system identifiers (architectural features), and format facilitators are listed for product/service strategic elements. Another important decision on product/service is standardization vs. customization. The rationale behind standardization is cost reduction, efficiency, consistency, image congruence, brand awareness, and competitiveness on price. Also standardization enables large scale R&D and innovative change in management style. Another element in operating strategy is control management. The simple way to control franchise contract is relying on legal terms, contractual control system. There are other control systems, administrative control system and ethical control system. Contractual control system is a coercive source of power, but franchisor usually doesn't want to use legal power since it doesn't help to build up positive relationship. Instead, self-regulation is widely used. Administrative control system uses control mechanism from ordinary work relationship. Its main component is supporting activities to franchisee and communication method. For example, franchisor provides advertising, training, manual, and delivery, then franchisee follows franchisor's direction. Another component is building franchisor's brand power. The last research element is performance factor of international franchising. Performance elements can be divided into franchisor's performance and franchisee's performance. The conceptual performance measures of franchisor are simple but not easy to obtain objectively. They are profit, sale, cost, experience, and brand power. The performance measures of franchisee are mostly about benefits of host country. They contain small business development, promotion of employment, introduction of new business model, and level up technology status. There are indirect benefits, like increase of tax, refinement of corporate citizenship, regional economic clustering, and improvement of international balance. In addition to those, host country gets socio-cultural change other than economic effects. It includes demographic change, social trend, customer value change, social communication, and social globalization. Sometimes it is called as westernization or McDonaldization of society. In addition, the paper reviews on theories that have been frequently applied to international franchising research, such as agent theory, resource-based view, transaction cost theory, organizational learning theory, and international expansion theories. Resource based theory is used in strategic decision based on resources, like decision about entrance and cooperation depending on resources of franchisee and franchisor. Transaction cost theory can be applied in determination of mutual trust or satisfaction of franchising players. Agent theory tries to explain strategic decision for reducing problem caused by utilizing agent, for example research on control system in franchising agreements. Organizational Learning theory is relatively new in franchising research. It assumes organization tries to maximize performance and learning of organization. In addition, Internalization theory advocates strategic decision of direct investment for removing inefficiency of market transaction and is applied in research on terms of contract. And oligopolistic competition theory is used to explain various entry modes for international expansion. Competency theory support strategic decision of utilizing key competitive advantage. Furthermore, research methodologies including qualitative and quantitative methodologies are suggested for more rigorous international franchising research. Quantitative research needs more real data other than survey data which is usually respondent's judgment. In order to verify theory more rigorously, research based on real data is essential. However, real quantitative data is quite hard to get. The qualitative research other than single case study is also highly recommended. Since international franchising has limited number of applications, scientific research based on grounded theory and ethnography study can be used. Scientific case study is differentiated with single case study on its data collection method and analysis method. The key concept is triangulation in measurement, logical coding and comparison. Finally, it provides overall research direction for international franchising after summarizing research trend in Korea. International franchising research in Korea has two different types, one is for studying Korean franchisor going overseas and the other is for Korean franchisee of foreign franchisor. Among research on Korean franchisor, two common patterns are observed. First of all, they usually deal with success story of one franchisor. The other common pattern is that they focus on same industry and country. Therefore, international franchise research needs to extend their focus to broader subjects with scientific research methodology as well as development of new theory.

  • PDF

Hypocholesterol Effect of Opuntia humifusa Extract on High Cholesterol Diet-induced Hypercholesterolemic Rats (고콜레스테롤혈증을 유도한 쥐를 대상으로 천년초 추출물의 콜레스테롤 저하 효과)

  • Jung, Eun Young;Yeon, Seong Ho;Suh, Hyung Joo
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.43 no.4
    • /
    • pp.485-490
    • /
    • 2014
  • The aim of this study was to investigate the hypocholesterol effects of Opuntia humifusa extract in hypercholesterolemic rats. Rats (8-week-old, male) were randomly divided into four groups (n=4) as follows: N-control, normal diet; H-control, hypercholesterolemic diet; OH-1, 2% O. humifusa extract-supplemented hypercholesterolemic diet; OH-2, 4% O. humifusa extract-supplemented hypercholesterolemic diet. After 4 weeks, we observed that hypercholesterolemia induced significant increases in serum lipids (total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol), hepatic lipids (total cholesterol and triglyceride), and hepatic function parameters (ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase) (P<0.05). Treatment with O. humifusa extract for 2 weeks normalized these indexes up to the levels of normal rats. O. humifusa extract tended to increase fecal lipid (H-control: 142.74 mg/day vs. OH-1: 214.05 mg/day; OH-2: 200.95 mg/day, P<0.05) and bile acid (H-control: 37.07 ${\mu}M/day$ vs. OH-1: 47.23 ${\mu}M/day$, OH-2: 47.93 ${\mu}M/day$, P<0.05) contents of hypercholesterolemic rats. We concluded that oral administration of O. humifusa extract effectively improved cholesterol metabolism in a hypercholesterolemic animal model induced by hypercholesterol diet.

Digital Stress of Consumers in Using Digital Goods (디지털 제품 관련 소비자 스트레스에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Jung-Eun;Yeo, Jung-Sung
    • Journal of Families and Better Life
    • /
    • v.25 no.3 s.87
    • /
    • pp.119-135
    • /
    • 2007
  • The purpose of this study is to find out the level of digital stress that people experience and to investigate the effects of socio-economic variables on that. To collect data, structured questionnaire was developed and 1,200 questionnaires were distributed through internet. There were 2 dimensions in this study to examine digital stress. First dimension was about the devices themselves: computers and the other digital goods. Second dimension was about the time digital stress occurring in consumers' decision-making process: purchasing and using. Based on Yeo&Kim(2004), sub-dimensions of purchasing and using aspects were chosen. 5 sub-dimensions in purchasing side were new technology, cost, variety of alternatives, warranty service, and informational problem 6 sub-dimensions in using field were mal(or impaired)-functioning. physical aspects, immaturity in use, pressure to use, addiction to use, and informational problem. As independent variables, sex, age, educational level, digitalization acceptability and computer usability were used. The overall level of digital stress was around the average point which was not as high as expected. Digital stress of purchasing was higher than that of using. First, in purchasing aspects, the level of digital stress was relatively high in cost, variety of alternatives and warranty service. Hence, clear communications with consumers about the distinctive aspects and cost of digital devices in market are needed. Secondly, in using side, mal-functioning and physical aspects were relatively more powerful stressors. In the other words, the more serious problems were not from the characteristics of individual consumers but from those of products. Producers should put their best efforts to reduce imperfection (defectiveness) and develop user-friendly digital devices. Also, users' individual efforts to overcome the problems that can be solved privately are necessary. Finally, it was discovered that sex and computer usability were very important variables on digital stress. To extend computer usability of consumers and get over digital illiteracy, it is essential to expand the paths to give chances for people to contact with computers and other digital goods. Still there are lots of people whore computer-illiterate or low-skilled at computers. In policies or educational programs made by government, communities, or schools, more attention should be paid to the digitally vulnerable groups.

A Study on the Role of the Local Newspaper for Community Development (지역사회발전을 위한 지역신문의 역할)

  • Nam, Bu-Hyun;Kim, Sung-Soo
    • Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
    • /
    • v.3 no.1
    • /
    • pp.141-155
    • /
    • 1996
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the sole of local newspaper for community development in Korea. Specific objectives of the study were : 1) to identify the role of local newspaper in community development, 2) to analyze problems and situations on local newspapers in Korea, and 3) to suggest desirable roles of local newspaper for the community development. To attain the above objectives, this study was carried out through literature review, contest analysis of selected local newspapers, and the questionnaire survey of selected readers of local newspaper. The data were collected from 267 readers of local newspaper who participated in the farmers` training session in the Rural Development Administration, by using questionnaires developed by the researcher, and total of 263 questionnaires were analyzed. The statistical techniques used for the study were frequence, percentile, standard deviation utilizing the $SPSS/PC^+$. The major findings of the study were as follows : 1. The major roles of functions of local newspapers identified in this study were summarized as to reinforce the community consciousness, to form community opinion, to watch and to monitor community environment, to provide education and entertainment, and to contribute to the conveyance and promotion of community culture. 2. The general characteristic of local newspaper readers surveyed were; a) average distance from town to their village was 9.3 Km, b) average age was 29 years, c) about 75% of them were senior high school graduates, and d) about 96% of them participated in group activities. 3. About 45% of the respondents used television or radio for their moor sources of local news were TV or radio, while about 31% respondents used immunity newspaper for their moor sources of local news. About 67% of the respondents kept their readership over two years, and about 40% of them read community newspaper regularly at their home. 4. The results of content analysis showed drat the local newspapers were dealing with articles on cultural affairs, community consciousness, administrative and civic affairs, however, there were not enough educational news, and various kinds of general news in the community. 5. Survey also showed the most needed news were ; 1) political news including administrative and civic affairs, 2) economic news including sales and distribution, 3) social news including social problems on environmental pollution and community development works, 4) educational news including technology and information, 5) cultural news including guide to cultural and historical sites and local brief news. 6. In the evaluation of local newspaper, the readers were generally positive in valued roles of local newspaper in community relations, community development, promoting community cohesion and understanding of community members, and about 40% of the respondents were positive in predicting the bright future perspectives of local newspapers. 7. In the readers` evaluation of local newspaper, readers responded that local newspapers were very closely related to the community and residents, reflecting the current concerns of local population and recognizing the value of community media, and the contents of local newspaper were positively related to daily lives of community residents and opinions of overall community.

  • PDF

An Analysis of Delivery and Take-out Food Consumption According to Household Type (1인가구와 다인가구의 배달·테이크아웃 식품소비행태 비교 분석)

  • Kim, Jihoon;Lim, Sungsoo
    • Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
    • /
    • v.11 no.11
    • /
    • pp.327-334
    • /
    • 2021
  • In this study, using the raw data of the 7th Food Consumption Behavior Survey(2019), compare and analyze what factors affect the food delivery service and take-out food expenditure of single-person and multi-person households. It was found that women(especially women in single-person households), have a high tendency to pursue safety preference versus price. In the future, Korea's population structure is expected to steadily increase single-person household and elderly households, and women's participation in economic activities is expected to continue to increase. In addition, the food delivery market has more than doubled compared to the previous year in 12 cities and provinces out of 17 cities and provinces nationwide with Covid-19, especially in the non-capital area, making it has become a universal service nationwide. Therefore, the growing home meal replacement market needs marketing strategies to secure and emphasize food safety.

Applied Technologies and Effects for the Carbon Zero Office Building (업무용 탄소제로건물의 적용기술 및 효과)

  • Lee, Jae-Bum;Hong, Sung-Chul;Beak, Name-Choon;Choi, Jin-Young;Hong, You-Deog;Lee, Suk-Jo;Lee, Dong-won
    • Journal of Climate Change Research
    • /
    • v.2 no.4
    • /
    • pp.283-295
    • /
    • 2011
  • Many actions against climate change have been taken to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions at home and abroad. As of 2007, the GHGs emitted from buildings accounted for about 23 % of Korea's total GHGs emission, which is the second largest GHG reduction potential following industry. In this study, we introduced Carbon Zero Building (CZB), which was constructed by the National Institute of Environmental Research to cut down GHGs from buildings in Korea, and evaluated the main applied technologies, the amount of energy load and reduced energy, and economic values for CZB to provide data that could be a basis in the future construction of this kind of carbon-neutral buildings. A total of 66 technologies were applied for this building in order to achieve carbon zero emissions. Applied technologies include 30 energy consumption reduction technologies, 18 energy efficiency technologies, and 5 eco-friendly technologies. Out of total annual energy load ($123.8kWh/m^2$), about 40% of energy load ($49kWh/m^2$) was reduced by using passive technologies such as super insulation and use of high efficiency equipments and the other 60% ($74.8kWh/m^2$) was reduced by using active technologies such as solar voltaic, solar thermal, and geothermal energy. The construction cost of CZB was 1.4 times higher than ordinary buildings. However, if active technologies are excluded, the construction cost is similar to that of ordinary buildings. It was estimated that we could save annually about 102 million won directly from energy saving and about 2.2 million won indirectly from additional saving by the reduction in GHGs and atmospheric pollutants. In terms of carbon, we could reduce 100 ton of $CO_2$ emissions per year. In our Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis, the Break Even Point (BEP) for the additional construction cost was estimated to be around 20.6 years.

The lesson From Korean War (한국전쟁의 교훈과 대비 -병력수(兵力數) 및 부대수(部隊數)를 중심으로-)

  • Yoon, Il-Young
    • Journal of National Security and Military Science
    • /
    • s.8
    • /
    • pp.49-168
    • /
    • 2010
  • Just before the Korean War, the total number of the North Korean troops was 198,380, while that of the ROK(Republic of Korea) army troops 105,752. That is, the total number of the ROK army troops at that time was 53.3% of the total number of the North Korean army. As of December 2008, the total number of the North Korean troops is estimated to be 1,190,000, while that of the ROK troops is 655,000, so the ROK army maintains 55.04% of the total number of the North Korean troops. If the ROK army continues to reduce its troops according to [Military Reform Plan 2020], the total number of its troops will be 517,000 m 2020. If North Korea maintains the current status(l,190,000 troops), the number of the ROK troops will be 43.4% of the North Korean army. In terms of units, just before the Korean War, the number of the ROK army divisions and regiments was 80% and 44.8% of North Korean army. As of December 2008, North Korea maintains 86 divisions and 69 regiments. Compared to the North Korean army, the ROK army maintains 46 Divisions (53.4% of North Korean army) and 15 regiments (21.3% of North Korean army). If the ROK army continue to reduce the military units according to [Military Reform Plan 2020], the number of ROK army divisions will be 28(13 Active Division, 4 Mobilization Divisions and 11 Local Reserve Divisions), while that of the North Korean army will be 86 in 2020. In that case, the number of divisions of the ROK army will be 32.5% of North Korean army. During the Korean war, North Korea suddenly invaded the Republic of Korea and occupied its capital 3 days after the war began. At that time, the ROK army maintained 80% of army divisions, compared to the North Korean army. The lesson to be learned from this is that, if the ROK army is forced to disperse its divisions because of the simultaneous invasion of North Korea and attack of guerrillas in home front areas, the Republic of Korea can be in a serious military danger, even though it maintains 80% of military divisions of North Korea. If the ROK army promotes the plans in [Military Reform Plan 2020], the number of military units of the ROK army will be 32.5% of that of the North Korean army. This ratio is 2.4 times lower than that of the time when the Korean war began, and in this case, 90% of total military power should be placed in the DMZ area. If 90% of military power is placed in the DMZ area, few troops will be left for the defense of home front. In addition, if the ROK army continues to reduce the troops, it can allow North Korea to have asymmetrical superiority in military force and it will eventually exert negative influence on the stability and peace of the Korean peninsular. On the other hand, it should be reminded that, during the Korean War, the Republic of Korea was attacked by North Korea, though it kept 53.3% of troops, compared to North Korea. It should also be reminded that, as of 2008, the ROK army is defending its territory with the troops 55.04% of North Korea. Moreover, the national defense is assisted by 25,120 troops of the US Forces in Korea. In case the total number of the ROK troops falls below 43.4% of the North Korean army, it may cause social unrest about the national security and may lead North Korea's misjudgement. Besides, according to Lanchester strategy, the party with weaker military power (60% compared to the party with stronger military power) has the 4.1% of winning possibility. Therefore, if we consider the fact that the total number of the ROK army troops is 55.04% of that of the North Korean army, the winning possibility of the ROK army is not higher than 4.1%. If the total number of ROK troops is reduced to 43.4% of that of North Korea, the winning possibility will be lower and the military operations will be in critically difficult situation. [Military Reform Plan 2020] rums at the reduction of troops and units of the ground forces under the policy of 'select few'. However, the problem is that the financial support to achieve this goal is not secured. Therefore, the promotion of [Military Reform Plan 2020] may cause the weakening of military defence power in 2020. Some advanced countries such as Japan, UK, Germany, and France have promoted the policy of 'select few'. However, what is to be noted is that the national security situation of those countries is much different from that of Korea. With the collapse of the Soviet Unions and European communist countries, the military threat of those European advanced countries has almost disappeared. In addition, the threats those advanced countries are facing are not wars in national level, but terrorism in international level. To cope with the threats like terrorism, large scaled army trops would not be necessary. So those advanced European countries can promote the policy of 'select few'. In line with this, those European countries put their focuses on the development of military sections that deal with non-military operations and protection from unspecified enemies. That is, those countries are promoting the policy of 'select few', because they found that the policy is suitable for their national security environment. Moreover, since they are pursuing common interest under the European Union(EU) and they can form an allied force under NATO, it is natural that they are pursing the 'select few' policy. At present, NATO maintains the larger number of troops(2,446,000) than Russia(l,027,000) to prepare for the potential threat of Russia. The situation of japan is also much different from that of Korea. As a country composed of islands, its prime military focus is put on the maritime defense. Accordingly, the development of ground force is given secondary focus. The japanese government promotes the policy to develop technology-concentrated small size navy and air-forces, instead of maintaining large-scaled ground force. In addition, because of the 'Peace Constitution' that was enacted just after the end of World War II, japan cannot maintain troops more than 240,000. With the limited number of troops (240,000), japan has no choice but to promote the policy of 'select few'. However, the situation of Korea is much different from the situations of those countries. The Republic of Korea is facing the threat of the North Korean Army that aims at keeping a large-scale military force. In addition, the countries surrounding Korea are also super powers containing strong military forces. Therefore, to cope with the actual threat of present and unspecified threat of future, the importance of maintaining a carefully calculated large-scale military force cannot be denied. Furthermore, when considering the fact that Korea is in a peninsular, the Republic of Korea must take it into consideration the tradition of continental countries' to maintain large-scale military powers. Since the Korean War, the ROK army has developed the technology-force combined military system, maintaining proper number of troops and units and pursuing 'select few' policy at the same time. This has been promoted with the consideration of military situation in the Koran peninsular and the cooperation of ROK-US combined forces. This kind of unique military system that cannot be found in other countries can be said to be an insightful one for the preparation for the actual threat of North Korea and the conflicts between continental countries and maritime countries. In addition, this kind of technology-force combined military system has enabled us to keep peace in Korea. Therefore, it would be desirable to maintain this technology-force combined military system until the reunification of the Korean peninsular. Furthermore, it is to be pointed out that blindly following the 'select few' policy of advanced countries is not a good option, because it is ignoring the military strategic situation of the Korean peninsular. If the Republic of Korea pursues the reduction of troops and units radically without consideration of the threat of North Korea and surrounding countries, it could be a significant strategic mistake. In addition, the ROK army should keep an eye on the fact the European advanced countries and Japan that are not facing direct military threats are spending more defense expenditures than Korea. If the ROK army reduces military power without proper alternatives, it would exert a negative effect on the stable economic development of Korea and peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsular. Therefore, the desirable option would be to focus on the development of quality of forces, maintaining proper size and number of troops and units under the technology-force combined military system. The tableau above shows that the advanced countries like the UK, Germany, Italy, and Austria spend more defense expenditure per person than the Republic of Korea, although they do not face actual military threats, and that they keep achieving better economic progress than the countries that spend less defense expenditure. Therefore, it would be necessary to adopt the merits of the defense systems of those advanced countries. As we have examined, it would be desirable to maintain the current size and number of troops and units, to promote 'select few' policy with increased defense expenditure, and to strengthen the technology-force combined military system. On the basis of firm national security, the Republic of Korea can develop efficient policies for reunification and prosperity, and jump into the status of advanced countries. Therefore, the plans to reduce troops and units in [Military Reform Plan 2020] should be reexamined. If it is difficult for the ROK army to maintain its size of 655,000 troops because of low birth rate, the plans to establish the prompt mobilization force or to adopt drafting system should be considered for the maintenance of proper number of troops and units. From now on, the Republic of Korean government should develop plans to keep peace as well as to prepare unexpected changes in the Korean peninsular. For the achievement of these missions, some options can be considered. The first one is to maintain the same size of military troops and units as North Korea. The second one is to maintain the same level of military power as North Korea in terms of military force index. The third one is to maintain the same level of military power as North Korea, with the combination of the prompt mobilization force and the troops in active service under the system of technology-force combined military system. At present, it would be not possible for the ROK army to maintain such a large-size military force as North Korea (1,190,000 troops and 86 units). So it would be rational to maintain almost the same level of military force as North Korea with the combination of the troops on the active list and the prompt mobilization forces. In other words, with the combination of the troops in active service (60%) and the prompt mobilization force (40%), the ROK army should develop the strategies to harmonize technology and forces. The Korean government should also be prepared for the strategic flexibility of USFK, the possibility of American policy change about the location of foreign army, radical unexpected changes in North Korea, the emergence of potential threat, surrounding countries' demand for Korean force for the maintenance of regional stability, and demand for international cooperation against terrorism. For this, it is necessary to develop new approaches toward the proper number and size of troops and units. For instance, to prepare for radical unexpected political or military changes in North Korea, the Republic of Korea should have plans to protect a large number of refugees, to control arms and people, to maintain social security, and to keep orders in North Korea. From the experiences of other countries, it is estimated that 115,000 to 230,000 troops, plus ten thousands of police are required to stabilize the North Korean society, in the case radical unexpected military or political change happens in North Korea. In addition, if the Republic of Korea should perform the release of hostages, control of mass destruction weapons, and suppress the internal wars in North Korea, it should send 460,000 troops to North Korea. Moreover, if the Republic of Korea wants to stop the attack of North Korea and flow of refugees in DMZ area, at least 600,000 troops would be required. In sum, even if the ROK army maintains 600,000 troops, it may need additional 460,000 troops to prepare for unexpected radical changes in North Korea. For this, it is necessary to establish the prompt mobilization force whose size and number are almost the same as the troops in active service. In case the ROK army keeps 650,000 troops, the proper number of the prompt mobilization force would be 460,000 to 500,000.

  • PDF