• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.182-189
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of parenting stress in North Korean refugee fathers on their parenting behavior. Methods: A descriptive study design was used. Data were collected during 2014 and 2015 in a settlement support center for North Korean refugees and 99 North Korean refugee fathers participated. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Results: Warmth encouragement parenting behavior received the highest score. The score for parenting stress was 81.98 out of 180, and 32.3% of participants were found to need professional help (${\geq}PSI\;90$). There were significant negative correlations between warmth encouragement parenting behavior and parenting stress. There were also significant positive correlations between rejection neglect parenting behavior and parenting stress. Predictors of warmth encouragement behavior were parent-child dysfunctional interaction which explained 10.1% of the variance. Predictors of rejection neglect behavior were parent-child dysfunctional interaction, number of children and wife's education level which explained 33.4% of the variance. Conclusion: Findings show that North Korean refugee fathers' parenting stress significantly influenced warmth encouragement and rejection neglect parenting behavior indicating a need to identify ways to decrease parenting stress. Parenting education can guide North Korean refugee fathers to strengthen parent-child positive interactions and therefore promote their children's growth and development.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.94-115
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• 2017

'Arirang folk song in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea' was inscribed to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 and 'Tradition of kimchi-making in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea' followed in 2015. It is presumed that North Korea was influenced by the Republic of Korea inscribing 'Arirang, lyrical folk song in the Republic of Korea' to the list in 2012 as well as 'Kimjang, making and sharing kimchi in the Republic of Korea' in 2013. These cases show the necessity (or possibility) of cultural exchanges between the two Koreas through UNESCO ICH lists. The purpose of this article is to explore the possibility of inter-Korean cultural integration. Therefore, I would like to review UNESCO's ICH policy and examine the ways of cooperation and joint nominations to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity between the two Koreas. First, I reviewed the amendments to the laws and regulations of the two Koreas and how the two countries applied the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Although the cultural exchange is a non-political field, given the situation between South and North Korea, it is influenced by politics. Therefore, we devised a stepwise development plan, divided into four phases: infrastructure development, cooperation and promotion, diversification, and policymaking and alternative development. First a target group will be needed. In this regard, joint nominations to the Representative List of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will be suitable for cooperation. Both countries have already started separate nominations on shared ICH elements to the UNESCO lists. Therefore, I have selected a few elements as examples that can be considered for joint nominations. The selected items are makgeolli (traditional liquor), jang (traditional soybean sauce), gayangju (homebrewed liquor), gudeul (Korean floor heating system), and jasu (traditional embroidery). Cooperation should start with sharing information on ICH elements. A pilot project for joint nomination can be implemented and then a mid-term plan can be established for future implementation. When shared ICH elements are inscribed on UNESCO ICH lists, various activities can be considered as follow-ups, such as institution visits, performances, exhibitions, and joint monitoring of the intangible cultural heritage. Mutual cooperation of the two Koreas' intangible cultural heritage will be a unique example between the divided countries, so its value will be recognized as a symbol of cultural cooperation. In addition, it will be a foundation for cultural integration of the two Koreas, and it will show the value of their unique ICH to the world. At the same time, it will become a good example for joint nominations to the Representative List recommended by UNESCO.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 2016

Objectives: This study compared the nutritional status of child-bearing age women between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Methods: The data presented in the DPRK Final Report of the National Nutrition Survey 2012 was utilized for the nutritional status and food intake of North Korean women. To produce the South Korean women's data comparable to those of North Korean women, the data from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey were analyzed and the data presented in the 2010 Report of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards were utilized. Results: The prevalence of maternal anemia (blood hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL) was over 30% in all the age groups of North Korean women and 8.9%, 14.2%, 16.4% in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 year old South Korean women, respectively. The prevalence of maternal protein-energy malnutrition (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference < 22.5 cm) was 25.2%, 21.4%, 21.8% in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 year old North Korean women, respectively and less than 10% in all the age groups of South Korean women. Result of dietary diversity comparison showed that North Korean women consumed less food than South Korean women at all food groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. Percentage of North Korean women having consumed protein rich foods-meat and fish, eggs or dairy products-were much lower than those of South Korean women. Conclusions: The striking disparity of nutritional status between South and North Korean women indicates that nutrition support for North Korean women is essential in the process of preparation for a unified nation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 2022

The decommission of nuclear legacy sites, which have been contaminated by previous activities such as uranium mining & milling as well as nuclear tests, has started to gain global attention. Within the Korean peninsula, Republic of Korea(ROK)has had experience in dismantling research reactors. For the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK), the possibility of nuclear activities being implemented and operations records being managed without consideration of the latest nuclear safety regulations are high. Hence, the chances of DPRK's sites remaining as nuclear legacy is also high. This study investigates approaches and considerations that needs to be taken in account in the event of a nuclear legacy site occurrence, reviewing its international cases for the solution of the legacy sites. The regulation, process of optimization, and stakeholder engagement for a nuclear legacy site should be considered in such an event. Developing legacy site response plans can be used to prevent future legacy site occurrences.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.87-93
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• 2008

In order to manage national environment effectively, one has to understand its ecological traits. The difference of temperature determines ecological traits of each respective region. In other words, temperature differentials on surface make a great impact on botanical structure. Currently, isothermal data-produced by meteorological stations based upon time series analysis-are widely used to plan and manage national environment. Nonetheless, the isothermal data do not reflect real surface temperature of regions. Because of numerous mountainous terrains in the Korean peninsula where temperature varies widely according to altitude, the range of temperature distribution-that reflects altitudinal change-has to be paid special attention. This study aims at expressing in space isothermal distribution that is necessary to plan and manage national environment effectively. In addition, not just South Korea, but also North Korea was included for isothermal distribution. As a result, this study corrected established isothermal lines up to date and demonstrated that altitude, latitude, and distance from coastal lines greatly influence temperature distribution of the Korean peninsula.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2011

Purpose: The study was conducted to explore the parenting experience of mothers who have defected from North Korean. Methods: Nineteen mothers who defected from North Korean were recruited in Hanawon and data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Grounded theory methodology developed by Strauss and Corbin (1998) was adapted for theoretical sampling and analysis. Interviews were recorded with consent and transcribed verbatim. Results: The core category was discovered to be 'pursuing positive parenting'. Phenomenon was identified as 'acting out of frustration' and this series of processes was categorized as having four stages: 'harsh reality', 'moving forward', seeking transition', and 'internalization'. Conclusion: The results indicate that their parenting experiences were in a transition process and, thus, it is critical to develop positive parenting intervention programs as a way to promote the empowerment of these mothers in parenting to help them support themselves and their children.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.310-321
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the interpersonal caring program for young North Korean defectors which we developed based on Kim's interpersonal caring technique. Methods: This study employs a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects of this study are 36 young North Korean defectors living in three areas. The participants are recruited through alternative schools, churches, and acquaintances. The experimental group consists of 20 participants and the control group consists of 16 participants. Experiments are conducted by four days. Specifically, the experiments are conducted eight times and each takes about 120 minutes. Furthermore, we run the camp for two nights and three days. We test our hypothesis by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Independent t-test, Paired t-test, and Independent t-test. Results: All the test statistics support our hypotheses such as self-esteem (t=1.87, p=.035), mental health (t=-1.69, p=.049), interpersonal relationships (t=1.93, p=.031), and quality of life (t=1.88, p=.034). Conclusion: We found that the interpersonal caring program developed in this study is effective in improving North Korean defectors' self-esteem, mental health, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2012

As North Korea passed from the Devotion (Jeongseong) movement to the black market (Jangmadang) system, the medical service system in that country was effectively destroyed. North Korean physicians who have successfully defected to South Korea (North Korean defector physicians, NKDPs) have experienced socio-economic hardships on their way to becoming incorporated into the South Korean medical system due to different medico- social cultures, different (English-based) medical terminology, and the clinical knowledge gap between North and South Korea. Since 2009, we have operated programs at the Seoul Medical Center to help NKDPs prepare for the South Korean medical licensing examination. These programs consist of clinical education at the medical center, personal mentoring, arrangement of educational programs at the medical college, mock tests at the consortium, and administrative aid. Looking forward, we hope to achieve the following: 1) More systematic support plans are needed involving medical education experts, field physicians, and experts on reunification. 2) An evaluation of defector physicians' current medical knowledge may provide information about the areas where supplementary education is most needed and the standards for certificating licenses. 3) In the short term, a customized glossary should be developed to assist defector physicians prepare for the examination. 4) To secure internships and residencies is the most important issue for further sustained training of NKDP physicians to become good clinicians after certification. Hopefully, this short report on the current ongoing educational course will lead to more extensive discussion.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.181-201
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• 2012

This study aims to analyze and compare the structures of auxiliary tables regarding places - for example, Korea using several decimal classification systems such as DDC, UDC, KDC and NDC. For each auxiliary table, the codes were described in detail and the special characteristics were discussed. The common characteristics and the different aspects of different decimal classification systems were investigated as well as divisions of Korea in Korean Wikipedia and an administrative district classification system. This study suggests a new basic summary for the expansion of codes of Korea in auxiliary table in DDC with its principles and options and it will be useful for revising process of many decimal classification systems.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2017

Purpose: This descriptive study was conducted to identify the attitudes of nursing college students to North Korean refugees (NKR) and to examine factors influencing these attitudes. Methods: A total of 195 participants completed a structured questionnaire between September and October 2016. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: The results of this study were as follows: attitudes toward NKR was 2.74 out of 4 points; cultural receptivity was 3.25 out of 5 points; nationalism was 2.46 out of 4 points. Cultural receptivity (r=.26, p<.001) and nationalism (r=-.18, p=.036) were significantly related to attitudes toward NKR. Unification attitude (${\beta}=0.27$, p <.001) and cultural receptivity (${\beta}=0.20$, p=.005) explained 13.7% of the variance in attitudes toward NKR. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide fundamental data for the development of a nursing education program on multicultural perspectives. Furthermore, these findings might highlight the need for a nursing education program that could enhance understanding of patients from different backgrounds and recognize their differences, going beyond a national point of view as commonly found in Korea. The nursing education program should also promote an open and receptive attitude.