• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.5_4
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• pp.1267-1276
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• 2020

To quantitatively predict the impacts of large-scale volcanic eruptions of Mt. Baekdu on air quality and damage around the Korean Peninsula, a three-dimensional chemistry-transport modeling system (Weather Research & Forecasting - Sparse Matrix Operation Kernel Emission - Comunity Multi-scale Air Quality) was adopted. A worst-case meteorology scenario was selected to estimate the direct impact on Korea. This study applied the typical worst-case scenarios that are likely to cause significant damage to Korea among worst-case volcanic eruptions of Mt. Baekdu in the past decade (2005~2014) and assumed a massive VEI 4 volcanic eruption on May 16, 2012, to analyze the concentration of PM_2.5 caused by the volcanic eruption. The effects of air quality in each region-cities, counties, boroughs-were estimated, and vulnerable areas were derived by conducting an exposure assessment reflecting vulnerable groups. Moreover, the effects of cities, counties, and boroughs were analyzed with a high-resolution scale (9 km × 9 km) to derive vulnerable areas within the regions. As a result of analyzing the typical worst-case volcanic eruptions of Mt. Baekdu, a discrepancy was shown in areas between high PM_2.5 concentration, high population density, and where vulnerable groups are concentrated. From the result, PM_2.5 peak concentration was about 24,547 ㎍/㎥, which is estimated to be a more serious situation than the eruption of Mt. St. Helensin 1980, which is known for 540 million tons of volcanic ash. Paju, Gimpo, Goyang, Ganghwa, Sancheong, Hadong showed to have a high PM_2.5 concentration. Paju appeared to be the most vulnerable area from the exposure assessment. While areas estimated with a high concentration of air pollutants are important, it is also necessary to develop plans and measures considering densely populated areas or areas with high concentrations of susceptible population or vulnerable groups. Also, establishing measures for each vulnerable area by selecting high concentration areas within cities, counties, and boroughs rather than establishing uniform measures for all regions is needed. This study will provide the foundation for developing the standards for disaster declaration and preemptive response systems for volcanic eruptions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.945-958
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food literacy (FL) is a crucial skill for selecting sustainable and healthy food options, necessitating the identification of vulnerable groups in the community using valid measurement tools. Identifying weak domains in FL is essential for enhancing the overall FL. This study examined the FL levels of Seoul citizens based on their sociodemographic characteristics and assessed the relationship between FL, food intake, and weight status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study utilized the data from the Seoul Food Survey, a cross-sectional study employing representative samples of Seoul citizens. Data collection occurred from September to October 2021, with 4,039 citizens aged 18 yrs and above participating in face-to-face surveys. Thirty-three FL items were assessed, comprising 14 items in the nutrition and safety (NS) domain, eight items in the cultural and relational (CR) domain, and 11 items in the socio-ecological (SE) domain. In addition, data on food intake sufficiency and obesity status were collected. The descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used for analysis. RESULTS: Men, students, young adults, older citizens, and people experiencing food insecurity had the lowest scores for all the FL domains. The highest quartile group of NS scores had a higher probability of consuming adequate servings of vegetables and fruits, with significant linear trends observed (P for trend < 0.05). In all three FL domains, the odds ratio for obesity was significantly lower in the groups with high FL scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A close relationship was observed between low FL, obesity, and food intake, even after controlling for other covariates. Vulnerable groups with low FL were also identified. Therefore, it is essential to develop programs to improve FL and the health and well-being of these groups.

• Journal of Korean Living Environment System
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.360-367
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• 2017

Although the elderly collecting and selling wastepaper is one of the most vulnerable groups in society, this group has not been studied specifically. Subjective health status is an important aspect of quality of life in old age. The purpose of this study is to examine factors affecting subjective health status among the elderly collecting and selling wastepaper. Analyses are based on data from 2014 Korean Elderly Survey. Multiple regression analysis showed that gender, depression, and fear of falling were associated with subjective health status. The results of this study suggest that gender and mental health aspects should be considered in making intervention plan for assessments and providing services for health among the elderly collecting and selling wastepaper. The study findings also indicate that efforts to improve safety in worksite of elderly persons collecting and selling wastepaper are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 1982

A general equilibrium growth model is constructed to analyse the income distributional impacts of the 1973 world oil crisis upon the Korean economy. Our results show that all consumer groups experienced a virtually uniform percentage reduction in their income levels. This implies that a lower income groups may be more damaged in a relative sense. In any rate, there were no domestic groups who benefit from the international oil crisis. This model could be used to figure out which social group will be most vulnerable against the next possible oil crisis we may expect in the future. Our result nay provide us a guideline for a compensating program to protect such groups against an external shock.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.516-526
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• 2001

Working towards the compression of morbidity, we attempted to find the way to contribute to desirable aging and/or healthy old age. By looking into the factors affecting nutrient intake in middle-aged adults, we sought to find ways to improve their health status, Two hundred and fifty middle-aged adults from 40 to 60 years of age residing in Seoul and its vicinity were recruited for the survey. Subjects were interviewed for general characteristics, dietary habits lifestyle, status and food intake by a trained interviewer. Two -day food record was included in addition to the 1 -day 24 hr recall. Date were analyzed for the relationship among nutrient intake, health status, socio-economic status dietary habits and lifestyle using a statistical program (SAS) Although the mean energy intake of the subjects did not reach the recommenced dietary allowances(RDA), mean protein intake was well above the RAD for both sex groups(111.2% and 129.1% for men and women, respectively) The caloric contribution of fat was 15 to 20 % of total energy intake among different groups. Riboflavin was the most deficient nutrient and its mean intake reached only 71.0% of RDA for mean This seemed to be due to the lower intake of milk and dairy products among middle-aged Koreans who are more accustomed to traditional meals. Income and exercise habit were the most important factors influencing the nutrient intake of middle-age adults. Also, BMI, smoking habit, level of education regularity of meal, and hours of sleeping influenced the nutrient intake, In conclusion, middle-age adults appeared to have similar problems with the elderly in terms of nutrient intake and this age group should to included when considering nutritionally vulnerable groups in addition to the elderly and young children. The improvement in the nutrition status of middle-age adults is even more important because that could lead into the better health the elderly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.2
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• pp.256-265
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• 2011

This study was aiming at assessing the vulnerability of forest distribution by the A2 and B1 climate change scenarios of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The vulnerability of forest distribution was assessed using its sensitivity and adaptation to climate change with the help of the simulations of Korean-specific forest distribution model, so-called the Thermal Analogy Group (TAG), and the Plant Functional Type (PFT) defined in the HyTAG (Hydrological and Thermal Analogy Groups) model. As a result, the vulnerable area occupied 30.78% and 2.81% of Korea in A2 and B1 scenario, respectively. When it comes to the administrative districts, Pusan in A2 and Daegu in B1 appeared the most vulnerable area. This study would be employed into preparation of adaptative measures for forest in future in terms of using climate change scenarios reflecting different future development conditions.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.20-56
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• 2000

The purpose of this article was to evaluate the effects of reimbursement system on the basis of diagnosis-related groups(DRGs). We searched articles which was published from 1970 to 2000 using MEDLINE ； Key words "diagnosis-related groups, DRGs, prospective payment system, PPS. Then we reviewed 97 articles on classifying them into several categories of contents. It seems that the effects of DRGs in controlling hospitals cost in the U.S. was not clear cut. The U.S. Medicare PPS using DRGs remains vulnerable to compensatory increases in ambulatory care and long-term care facilities utilization despite cost per case and cost per admission being reduced. Also some research indicated the possibilities of deterioration in health care service quality. So putting theses results together, much more consideration is needed before the application of DRGs reimbursement system in Korea. Particularly there is the crucial difference between U.S. health care system and Korean, we must be aware of the limitations of DRGs and revise the DRG system to applicable in Korea.orea.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.161-173
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• 2015

The guarantee of transportation for elderly and handicapped people is increasingly necessary owing to their growing social and economic activity. In March of 2013, a partial amendment to the law for transportation of the vulnerable was made by the government, to make more convenient transport a legal requirement. The amendment describes standards for the installation of transport facilities, and its support available. However, the adjustment of low-floor bus routes is not included. Therefore, low-floor buses are operating without consideration for the handicapped. This study evaluates the current low-floor bus system user experience by considering the residential distribution of vulnerable customers and analyzing their reasons for using public transport. As a result of this work, adjustments to current bus routes are proposed. The residential distribution of vulnerable people has been assessed using the supporting materials of the urban renewal project in Busan City, and their reasons for using public transport have been collected by a survey of the target user groups. The results show that group A, which has good accessibility, was in high demand, but provided the most limited service. Whereas group C, which also has good accessibility but was in low demand, provided its service most frequently. The data show the supply and demand inconsistencies of low-floor buses, and the inefficiency of bus route allocation. Therefore, this study proposes improvements to current methods for the effective operation of low-floor buses.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.99-132
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• 2017

This study examines the employability of participants and employment outcomes in the Korean active labor market policies(ALMPs). The data used in empirical testing is Korea Labor and Income Panel Study 1~15th survey data, participants database in ALMPs and Unemployment Insurance database. The main results are as follows. Level of employability in participants with ALMPs is about 56.3 and that of participants with direct job creation(DJC) programs shows the most low level in sub-type of ALMPs. About 30.8% of all people participating in ALMPs belongs to vulnerable group and 71.5% of participants in DJC programs is in vulnerable group. In DJC programs, the participants with low level of employability are some more likely to be in vulnerable group. As the level of employability in participants with DJC programs increases, their job-search time after moved in labor market reduces and their duration of employment increases. To summarize, one can imply that the DJC programs are effective to transit vulnerable groups in labour market and improve the labor market outcomes by enhancing the employability of participants.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.531-539
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• 2021

Given the rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) and the deepening of the information gap phenomenon in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers and practitioners need to understand the changing perceptions of new phenomena such as COVID-19 information gap on the existing information-vulnerable population. In this study, an empirical analysis was performed with the digital information gap survey data in 2020 to understand the potential impact of COVID-19 on the information gap according to the information-vulnerable class. This study is to verify the effect of information gap, marginalized groups, gender, and major factors of information services (contents, social relations, life services, information production, networking, social participation, non-face-to-face services) on the change in perception of digital information technology after Corona. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the higher the content, social relationship, life service, networking, and digital non-face-to-face service, the higher the change in perception of digital information technology after Corona. Therefore, in light of the evolving phenomenon of COVID-19, it is considered that the government needs to provide education and training to strengthen the capabilities of the information-vulnerable class in order to resolve the digital information gap.