• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2019

Alternatives for increasing the competitiveness of locally manufactured agricultural machinery in domestic and foreign markets has been proposed. This was done by analyzing the major agricultural machinery's price and market share as well as their performance and quality. In the Korean domestic market, the market share of Japanese agricultural machinery has been identified to be 14.5% for tractors, 31.1% for combine harvesters, and 35.8% for rice transplanters, and on track for further increase. Japanese manufacturers' domestic patent shares are 58.5% for tractors, 79.9% for combine harvesters, and 69.8% for rice transplanters, showing the dire need for Korean domestic firms to expand their technological rights. To strengthen the industrial competitiveness of agricultural machinery, therefore, researches that develop the fundamental and elemental technology to reduce the frequency of breakdown should be needed in the short term. To achieve this, it is imperative to establish technology roadmap, promote greater cooperation between academia and industry, and systematically increase research funding. In addition, as a long-term solution for enhancing the competitiveness, an establishment of Agricultural Equipment Technology Institute is strongly recommended to systematically support R&D for developing core technologies, particularly high-quality components that guarantee durability and quality.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2019

Today, the Korean wave headed by K-pop is newly named as 'New Korean Wave' in that it has been extended to United States, Europe and Russia. K-POP, the main player of the new Korean wave, has been successful in SNS marketing channels. Furthermore, the content of K-pop has attracted the attention of the global audience. The media and public attention on the Korean Wave is meaningful because it is not merely a cultural export. It also makes Korean people feel national pride, seeing the mental influence of its culture on other regions. Moreover, the development of the cultural industry in our society, which is different from industrial or material development, is a proof that Korean society is at the center of globalization. Until the 20th century, Korean culture had been rather receptive than dominant. In other words, it was focused more on acceptance of other cultures than active creation or outflow of its own. Now, however, K-POP is not anymore copying Western culture. It is creating its own unique characters, which makes K-pop very competitive. Korean culture has been formed for a long time in Korea's unique historical background. Korean popular culture also has to establish a solid foothold in world markets through its distinctive and traditional feature. The positive consumer response to Korean pop culture will create the added value of Korean contents and their derivatives, which will heighten Korea's national image also. In other words, if traditional art and K-POP are converged and equipped with our own unique and highly artistic culture, they will take the lead in the global cultural art market. In this study, we will recognize the possibility, growth and development of K-pop culture and analyze the cases of combining K-pop and Korean traditional art. First, we have to blend traditional art and other various genres to create diverse contents, and we have to actively utilize media channels. Second, we must improve people's awareness of the copyrights of traditional art. Also, we have to mitigate the copyrights of creative dance to expand the disclosure of contents which can be utilized. Third, we have to learn about traditional arts from younger age. Fourth, we will expand traditional arts to the whole of Korean cultural policies, which can enhance the nation's cultural value and create economic benefits. These four are expected to be effective ways to preserve the identity of traditional art and at the same time, globalize Korean culture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.475-484
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• 2011

International price of cereal has been dramatically increasing for the past few years. This price hike amplified the importance of food self-sufficiency in numerous countries due to the fact that food security is directly proportional to food self-sufficiency. In this study, we conducted a survey to provide useful information of Cambodia's agricultural environment to possible Korean agricultural investors and as to highlight Cambodia as a strong candidate for the establishment of Korea's foreign base for cereal production. The survey conducted includes information regarding Cambodia's agricultural environment and investment circumstances including the political, economical and other contributing factors affecting agricultural investment in Cambodia. Seventy percent of the Cambodia's total population engage in agriculture and this comprises about 30% of the country's GDP. This statistics reflects the possibility of Cambodia's poverty alleviation which proves that agriculture in Cambodia is the driving force for the improvement of the country's economy. In addition, low labor cost, fertile land, abundant water resources, like the Tonle sap lake and the Mekong river, and unreclaimed lands are the strong points that could attract agricultural investors to Cambodia. Poor infrastructure, irrigation systems, law reforms, including social and cultural differences may be the biggest setbacks for the acceleration of Cambodia's agriculture development. However, the Cambodian government is open and willing to make adjustments for Cambodia to be both foreign and domestic agricultural investor-friendly, expecting that it will boost its country's agricultural development. Making the best out of this opportunity, the coordination of KOICA with Korean agricultural investors in building infrastructures and with the help of the KOPIA program for the transfer of agricultural technology will benefit both countries and will play an important role in Cambodia's agriculture.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.435-445
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of vinegar extract from seed of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and seed of tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum Gaertner) on acute ethanol-induced hangover in Sprague-Dawley rats. Vinegar extract from buckwheat is rich choline, quercetin and its glycoside, rutin known as flavonoid antioxidants. The test extract containing buckwheat was proven to alleviate hangovers through a significant reduction in the concentration of alcohol and acetaldehyde in the context of an alcohol-induced hangover model. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities were significantly higher in buckwheat vinegar-treated rats than in ethanol-treated rats. Moreover, tartary buckwheat vinegar upregulated antioxidant enzyme such as superoxide dismutase and Catalase activities in liver tissues. These results suggest that buckwheat vinegar extract could alleviate ethanol-induced hangover symptoms by elevating activities related to hepatic ethanol-metabolizing enzymes against ethanol induced metabolites, and in particular, tartary buckwheat should be further developed to be a novel anti-hangover material.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.455-468
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• 2023

We aimed to assess the potential growth-promoting effects of buckwheat sprout on intestinal bacteria and their anti-inflammation effects in a cellular model of intestinal inflammation. The growth of Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis BT1 was enhanced with the addition of the sprout extract of tartary buckwheat. Further, in the inflammatory model cells cultured with Raw 264.7 cells were treated with buckwheat sprout including each 10 probiotics before the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation in Raw 264.7 cells. Buckwheat sprout in both Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis BT1 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LPC5 significantly reduced the production of NO and PGE₂. The above results indicate that buckwheat sprout extract which contains with various physiologically active substances such as rutin, quercetin, and choline is effective in suppressing NO and PGE₂ production, which are inflammation-related indicators. The present study suggests that buckwheat sprout could induce positive effects on the intestinal beneficial bacteria and in anti-inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2024

'Miha' is a new strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivar, which was released by the Highland Agriculture Research Institute in 2019. The 'Miha' cultivar originates from a 2014 cross between 'Monterey' and 'Saebong No. 3', both of which exhibited excellent ever-bearing characteristics, including continuous flowering and large fruits under long-day and high temperature conditions. This new cultivar was initially named 'Saebong No. 12' after examining its characteristics and productivity during summer cultivation between 2015 and 2019. After regional adaptability tests, 'Miha' was selected from 'Saebong No. 12' as an elite cultivar. The general characteristics of 'Miha' include intermediate, elliptic leaves, and strong growth. The fruits are conical and of a dark-red color. The number of leaves of 'Miha' was 21.9, which was 6.2 fewer than that of the control cultivar, 'Goha' with 28.1. The number of flower clusters of 'Miha' was similar to that of 'Goha'. The average fruit weight of 'Miha' was 13.4 g, which was 4.3 g heavier than that of 'Goha'. The fruit hardness of 'Miha' was 36.2 g·mm^-2, which was 10.1 g·mm^-2 harder than that of 'Goha'. The marketable yield of 'Miha' was 37,393 kg·ha^-1, 156% more than that of 'Goha' with 23,970 kg·ha^-1. Therefore, the new cultivar of ever-bearing strawberry 'Miha' is expected to be very popular in the export or bakery market because it is hard.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2024

North Korea relies heavily on coal as the primary energy source, playing an important role in all energy demand sectors except for the transportation sector. Approximately half of the total electricity is generated through coal-fired power plants, and coal is used to produce heat and power for all industrial facilities. Furthermore, coal has been a significant contributor to earning foreign currency through long-term exports to China. Nevertheless, since the 1980s, indiscriminate mining activities have led to rapid depletion of coal production in most coal mines. Aging mine facilities, lack of investment in new equipment, shortages of fuel and electricity, difficulties in material supply, and frequent damage from flooding have collectively contributed to a noticeable decline in coal production since the late 1980s. North Korea's coal deposits are distributed in various geological formations from the Proterozoic to the Cenozoic, but the most critical coal-bearing formations are Ripsok and Sadong formations distributed in the Pyeongnam Basin of the Late Paleozoic from Carboniferous to Permian, which are called as Pyeongnam North and South Coal Fields. Over 90% of North Korea's coal is produced in these coal fields. The classification of coal in North Korea differs from the international classification based on coalification (peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite). North Korean classification based on industrial aspect is classified into bituminous coal, anthracite, and low-grade coal (Chomuyeontan). Based on the energy factor, it is classified into high-calorie coal, medium calorie coal, and low-calorie coal. In North Korea, the term "Chomuyeontan" refers to a type of coal that is not classified globally and is unique to North Korea. It is a low-grade coal exclusively used in North Korea and is not found or used in any other country worldwide. This article compares North Korea's coal classification and the international coal classification of coal and provides insights into the geological characteristics, reserves, utilization, and research trends of North Korean coal resources. This study could serve as a guide for preparing scientific and industrial agendas related to coal collaboration between North Korea and South Korea.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.275-289
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• 2023

Since the implementation of the Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) Act in 2008, approximately 10 million tons of genetically modified corn, soybean, potato, canola, and other crops have been imported into South Korea. The import approval procedures have been completed for approximately 191 cases that include seven crops. Of these, approximately 90 cases, excluding crossbreeds of approved LMOs, were reviewed via consultation risk evaluation in four areas: human health, crop culture, natural ecology, and marine fishery environment. LMO developers in South Korea, who are major stakeholders in the import of LMO crops produced overseas, have raised concerns regarding procedural inefficiency in consultation reviews and the need of excessive reviews that are unsuitable for food-feed processing purposes. These procedures reflect the perspective of consultation agencies that deviate from the nature of risk assessment and demand specific supplementary data that do not reflect familiarity and substantial equilibrium. Based on frequent instances of unintentional environmental release of LMO crops imported into Korea, the ministries responsible for consultation insist on a review that considers the climate and natural environment of Korea. In addition, the ministries mandate that their reviews reflect the expertise of competent ministries and are based on risk assessment principles and methods in accordance with international guidelines. In this regard, considering that traits introduced into LMO crops involving familiar agricultural crops have been considered safe for more than two decades, we have suggested reasonable alternatives to several risk assessment items for agricultural LMOs. These alternatives can mitigate conflicts of interest among key stakeholders within the scope of the current LMO regulations.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.386-391
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• 2024

'Jinha' is a new strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivar, which was released by the Highland Agriculture Research Institute in 2019. The 'Jinha' cultivar originates from a 2011 cross between 'Albion' and 'Goha,' both of which exhibited excellent ever-bearing characteristics, including continuous flowering and large fruits under long-day and high temperature conditions. This new cultivar was initially named 'Saebong No. 11' after examining its characteristics and productivity during summer cultivation between 2012 and 2016. After regional adaptability tests, 'Jinha' was selected from 'Saebong No. 11' as an elite cultivar. The general characteristics of 'Jinha' include intermediate, elliptic leaves, and medium growth. The fruits are conical and of a red color. The plant height of 'Jinha' is simiar to that of the control variety, 'Flamenco', but it has a lot of number of leaves. The cluster length of 'Jinha' was 35.5 cm, 10.8 cm longer than 24.7 cm of the control variety. The number of flower clusters of 'Jinha' appeared 14.4, which was 4.1 more than that of 'Flamenco'. The average fruit weight of 'Jinha' was 10.1 g, which was 0.8 g heavier than that of 'Flamenco'. The soluble solid content of 'Jinha' was 10.2 °Brix, which was 2.0 °Brix higher than that of 'Flamenco'. The marketable yield of 'Jinha' was 25,931 kg·ha^-1, 440% more than that of 'Flamenco' with 5,900 kg·ha^-1. Therefore, the new cultivar of ever-bearing strawberry 'Jinha' is expected to be very popular in the export or bakery market because it is high soluble solid content and good shape.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.247-280
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• 2020

For customs-free and liberalization on the trade of aircraft parts, the WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft was separately concluded as plurilateral trade agreement at the time of launching WTO in 1995, and currently 33 countries including the United States and the EU are acceded but Korea does not. Major details of the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft include product coverage, the elimination of customs duties and other charges, the prohibition of government-directed procurement of civil aircraft, the application of the Agreement on Subsides and Countervailing Measures, and the consultation on issues related to this Agreement and dispute resolution. Article 89 paragraph 6 of the current Customs Act was newly established on December 31, 2018, and the tariff reduction rate for imports of aircraft parts will be reduced in stages from May 2019 and the tariff reduction system will be abolished in 2026. Accordingly, looking at the impact of the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft on the aviation industry, first, as for the impact on the air transport industry, an tariff allotment of the domestic air transport industry is expected to reach about 160 billion won a year from 2026, and upon acceding to the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, the domestic air transport industry will be able to import aircraft parts at no tariff, so it will not have to pay 3 to 8 percent import duties. Second, as for the impact on the aviation MRO industry, if the tariff reduction system for aircraft parts is phased out or abolished in stages, overseas outsourcing costs in the engine maintenance and parts maintenance are expected to increase, and upon acceding to the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, the aviation MRO industry will be able to import aircraft parts at no tariff, so it will reduce overseas outsourcing costs. If the author proposes a policy direction for the trade liberalization of aircraft parts to ensure competitiveness of the aviation industry, first, as for the tariff reduction by the use of FTA, in order to be favored with the tariff reduction by the use of FTA, it is necessary to secure the certificate of origin from foreign traders in the United States and the EU, and to revise the provisions of Korea-Singapore and Korea-EU FTA. Second, as for the push of acceding to the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, it would be resonable to push the acceding to Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft for customs-free on the trade of aircraft parts, as the tariff reduction method by the use of FTA has limits. Third, as for the improvement of the tariff reduction system for aircraft parts under the Customs Act, it is expected that there will take a considerable amount of time until the acceding to the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, so separate improvement measures are needed to continue the tariff reduction system of aircraft parts under Article 89 paragraph 6 of the Customs Act. In conclusion, Korea should accede to the WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft to create an environment in which our aviation industry can compete fairly with foreign aviation industries and ensure competitiveness by achieving customs-free and liberalization on the trade of aircraft parts.