• Journal of Family Relations
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.47-72
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• 2016

According to the survey by the Ministry of Unification, 28,133 live in South Korea as of september 2015 and the number has been steadily increased. It is interesting to note that the majority of defectors were women. Statistics say that the total of women defectors was 1,138 in 2002 and consisted of 55.5%. But the number increased to 2,706 in 2011 and consisted of 70.5%(Wikipedia, 2015). Most of them have trauma, because they experienced terrible events like prostitution, sexual abuse, domestic violence, etc. while they were living in South Korea. They had to get over a lot of challenges they never expected. They had to do whatever they need to do for their survival in South Korea as well as in North Korea. Objectives: This study focuses on identifying the psychosocial resources available for them in order to help them out living here. Method: For this purpose, this study conducted unstructured in-depth interviews with four women defectors from North Korea. Their age bracket is between the ages of 50 and 58 and they have stayed over five years in South Korea. They were recommended by social welfare workers, who had dealt with them over 20 years. For the reliability of this study, the three methods were performed such as three-month close relationship, three-person triangular verification, and diversification of resources-the field notes and observation notes. Results: As a result of this study, the resources may be labeled into three main clusters of themes such as 1) Self-Preservation - 'Self-Love', 'Family-Attachment', 'Share the Goods', 'Live in Harmony', 'Avoidance of conflict'; 2) Self-Conquest - 'Endurance', 'Earnestness and Effort', 'My own Activities', 'Chat', 'Put Down', 'Appreciation and Optimism'; 3) Self-Presence Awareness - 'I was a Precious Daughter', 'I am Mother'. Also there are thirteen sub categories to be considered. Conclusions: This study focuses on identifying how women defectors have used or can use the psychosocial resources available for them, rather than what they have struggled with. It is meaningful to identify in a positive light that this study provides how they have adjusted to a totally different context for their survival and what psychosocial resources they have used. This study can give an idea about how they may receive proper and practical help from the government programs in order to become better used to new living circumstances in South Korea. As well, this study can provide meaningful criteria and guidance with family life educators for women defectors and social workers working in counseling and social welfare areas. This study contributes to better understanding about how they are using these psychosocial resources.

• Journal of Korean Classical Literature and Education
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• no.37
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• pp.185-215
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• 2018

This paper tried to interpret new phenomenon in the narrative focusing on the tale. People telling about this story understood it in the way of recognizing and resigning the power of powerful destiny. This article poses a problem to that point. The male character begins the question "why?" And experiences a process of thoughtful thought. And he finds out his past life and pioneers his destiny. The find past life in this tale, it means 'an opportunity to choose oneself and life for themselves'. This can be interpreted as Samsara of Buddhism that does not insist on a fixed self. Experience of this process of reasoning according to narrative context of folktale will become literary therapy activity confirming the effectiveness of marital conflict narrative including the former motifs.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.50
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• pp.131-172
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• 2018

It is noted that nowadays, the bride wealth custom takes an extremely distorted form in African society. Such a phenomenon is a result that the male-dominant culture, Western religions, and capitalist economic system have been negatively combined into dynamic factors seen as bride wealth. This means that the concept of bride wealth has been incessantly reconstructed in the middle of clash and conflict of tradition and modernity. There is also little doubt that the practice is inextricably tangled with the common and current ways of livelihood, early marriage, polygyny, kinship/family structure, poverty, and migration labor. Bride wealth has become an increasingly commercialized element under a capitalist economic system. Accordingly, its traditional symbolism is seen to be subsequently weakening, whereas a tendency towards the reification of women is strengthening more in modern society that embraces modern customs bent on the protection of women's human rights. Its commercialization has produced a result, which instigates the noted violations of women's basic human rights, gender inequality, and promotion of domestic violence. The ways that people perceive bride wealth vary according to their own sex, generation, stratification, and ethnic background. Those people who negatively recognize bride wealth will increase with the deepening of its commercialization due to the influence of capitalism. Its color and effect will deepen and depend on how its agents correspond to socioeconomic changes. They will constantly reinterpret and reconstruct it within their own environments, but the basic human rights efforts are constantly under review by concerned individuals seeking to promote equality for women as a global effort.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.39
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• pp.85-114
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• 2013

Traditional values refer to one's attitudes or perspectives developed by negotiating with oneself, others, society, world, nature and universe, which include thoughts on what is right, desirable, and what is dos and don'ts. The purpose of this study was to investigate values which Korean people traditionally emphasized, and their changes by epochal situation focused on the Choson Era. Also, this study intended to assist in finding values and meaning which should be passed down and manifested in contemporary society based on the study results. In this context, I select some positive values in the background of the Joseon dynasty. As traditional values or ethics in Korea destroyed and distorted going through the period of Japanese colonialism, all the existing social culture and traditional culture were denied, which resulted in vanishing common value which led community for several hundred years. The loss of common value caused community destruction and collapse, and made Korean people seek to survival, success and advancement in life as suffering from severe conflict of values. Experience of hollow state of mind caused by historical and cultural severance left distorted and degenerated values to Korea people, which made them pursue false values without realizing true meaning of traditional values. The true meaning of traditional values should be universal no matter how society changes, and could be milestone to contemporary people wandering aimlessly. Realizing and reconsidering the meaning of traditional values to found comtemporary values of Korean people by reflecting on history can produce significant results beyond age-old debate about East or West, and tradition or modernity.

• Maritime Security
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.93-117
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• 2020

Four cargo ships were ambushed by bombs in 2019 while navigating in the Strait of Hormuz. It was not clear who attacked those ships, however, many nations including the United States argued that it was Iran due to several reasons. The United States established the maritime collective defense system named International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) in order to protect the maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, without disclosure against whom it is aimed. Persian, who uses the Persian language unlike other countries in the Middle East, is the major ethnic group in Iran, and most of them believe Shi'ah Islam while most of the Arabs in the Gulf countries adhere to Sunni Islam. It seems that historic and religious motives caused the bipolar system in the Middle East, however, it is plausible to analyze the system of international affairs in the Middle East via defensive or structural realism. Iran has attempted to maintain its hegemony in the region by supporting Shi'ah muslims in the neighboring countries as well as in the world by using military and economic means. In this context, Iran's maritime strategy is to maintain its maritime hegemony on the Persian Gulf via countering threats and cooperating with friendly navies by using the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy(IRIN) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy(IRGCN). IRIN acts like other navies in the world: protecting national interest at sea, expending its operational areas to the outer seas, and enhancing cooperation with other navies. Meanwhile, IRGCN plays a role as an asymmetric force at sea. It is composed of small and fast asymmetric assets, which can ambush ships fast and furious. Considering the poor study for Iran's maritime strategy in Korea, analyzing the strategy is meaningful for the Republic of Korea Navy, which has operated the Cheonghae Unit for more than ten years since it has extended its operational area over the Strait of Hormuz. In order not to be drawn into the conflict in the Strait, research on the maritime strategy of Iran and other countries in the Middle East should be started.

• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.63-87
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• 2020

This article not only theoretically explores the necessity and effect of constructive minilateralism and subregionalism in Northeast Asia, but also delves into a series of practical solutions from viewpoint of seeking common ground while reserving differences in this region. The main contents are as follows: First, the various obstacles that hinder the formation of regionalism, subregionalism and minilateralism in the Northeast Asia are discussed. That is to say, geopolitical realism, My Country First ideology, exclusive nationalism in the socio-historical context, and North Korea's latest provocations, etc. Second, this article explores the philosophy and basic principles of realizing Northeast Asia regionalism and minilateralism. Third, in the 21st century, Northeast Asia becomes the center of the world. It examines the core points, controversial focus and platform for building sub regionalism in the region. Finally, based on the institutional platform such as minilateralism and sub regionalism, the various ideas and practical plans of cross-border cooperation among major countries in Northeast Asia were discussed. Because there are a lot of obstacles, so first of all it is more appropriate to promote economic or functional minilateralism or sub regionalism than multilateral cooperation. In order to promote the formation of regionalism and minilateralism in Northeast Asia, the issues to be considered are as follows: First, for the sake of leading regional solidarity and minilateral economic cooperation, it is advisable for China, as a regional economic power, to implement a stable and responsible diplomacy. Secondly, regional solidarity based on credible politics and security should be promoted for a long time beyond the level of economic cooperation. Third, the primary prerequisite for the realization of Northeast Asian regionalism is that in the process of denuclearization of North Korea, the stability and peace mechanism of the Korean Peninsula should be established. Fourth, with the continued hegemonic competition between the United States and China in Northeast Asia, under the circumstance that countries in the region are pushed into so-called "East Asian Paradox", it is profoundly important for them to consider transition from the hostile relationship as the "Thucydides trap" to the order of "coexistence" in which competition and cooperation run side by side, and the two countries should explore a conversion plan for the foreign policy line. This mutual cooperation and peaceful coexistence of the US-China relationship will create a friendly atmosphere for the formation of regionalism in Northeast Asia. In the future, the cooperation of minilateralism in Northeast Asia will break the existing conflict between the maritime forces and the continental forces in order to promote peace. And along with the philosophy that "peace is economy", recent policies of common prosperity as the framework, such as China's "Belt and Road Initiative", North Korea's "Special Zone and Development Zone Policy", Russia's "New Eastern Policy", Japan's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and South Korea's The "Korean Peninsula New Economy Map" are organically linked and it should promote the so-called "networked regionalism".

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.391-404
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• 2022

Actor-network theory (ANT) pays attention to the relational effect between human and non-human actors, and transforms numerous networks between these actors by treating non-humans as human-like actors. This paper investigated various non-human actors related to the context before and after the introduction of NCS-based curriculum through ANT. This approach is because as a new system is introduced, the impact on the existing network and conflict situations can be looked at more closely. To this end, the researcher reviewed data from October 2014, when S College discussed whether to introduce an NCS-based curriculum, to February 2017, when practical operation was carried out and graduates were produced. In order to understand ANT theory, we analyzed based on the four stages of translation as claimed by Callon in the ANT theory. As a result, some meanings were confirmed in the case of reforming the curriculum of S College where the NCS-based curriculum was introduced. First, it is an in-depth analysis of the situation surrounding the curriculum, which has been overlooked by research on the existing curriculum. Second, it contributed to interpreting the 'hidden meaning' beyond the 'superficial meaning' of the curriculum within the university. Third, it was possible to indirectly check the conflicts and conflicts with the existing system that appeared in the process of introducing the new system to the College.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.764-772
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• 2022

The shipping and port industries have traditionally been male-centered, and although the scope of entry for female mariners is increasing, the proportion of female workers is still low. However, research on career barriers and career decision levels in this industry has not yet been conducted. This study can explain the dif iculties in career development experienced by women in this industry and comprehensively explain the socio-cultural context or environmental factors to which the individual belongs in order to improve it. The purpose of this study was to derive career barrier factors and investigate how they affect career decision levels among female students enrolled in M University's Maritime College. The career barriers perceived by female students at Maritime College were derived from gender discrimination (GD), career undecided and lack of preparation (IOU), work-family conflict (WFC), lack of individual characteristics (LPQ), and lower-than-expected job prospects (LOE). As a result of analyzing how the derived career barrier factors af ect the career decision level, it was found that IOU had a significant negative effect on the career decision level. GD, WFC, LPQ, and LOE did not have a significant effect on career decision level. The study conclusions can be used as important data for career guidance and counseling for female maritime college women who want to overcome career barriers and improve their career decision-making levels.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.45
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• pp.153-186
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• 2023

Since the 2000s, Korean society has been transitioning into a multicultural society with a sharp increase in the influx of various non-Koreans including immigrant workers, immigrant spouses, international students, and refugees. As a result, Korea, which had maintained religious peace and coexistence as a multi-religious society, is showing signs of increased risks of social problems such as the surfacing of conflicts between religions. Religion can contribute to the integration and safety of communities in the process of becoming a multicultural society, but at the same time, it requires discussion from an educational perspective because of its ambivalence in potentially causing conflict within communities. Considering that one of the main functions of religion is social integration, religious education is required for the stable settlement of multicultural societies. In recognition of this, discussion regarding a new perspective on religious education is needed to respond to religious diversity and to understand the current society and the means of becoming a global citizen. This new discussion would be a 'general religious education' model that provides an education covering various religious and non-religious worldviews in order to cultivate 'religious literacy.' However, in a multicultural society, while general religious education may be useful in reducing prejudice and discrimination among students in an integrated environment, it should also be recognized that a 'special religious education' would be needed to acknowledge the unique values of each human group. This would be the most effective approach to multiculturalism. Therefore, this study proposes a form of 'cooperative religious education,' which combines general religious education and special religious education as a direction for religious education. In providing readers with background context, this study will review Korean religious policies and religious education, and then present realistic methods that can be implemented in schools.

• Journal of International Area Studies (JIAS)
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-60
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• 2011

Medvedev administration has adopted new foreign policy line because of Obama administration's 'Reset' policy and Global economic crisis. The objectives of Medvedev's new foreign policy are the creation of a favorable external environment and the efficient use of external resources for Russia's economic modernization. To achieve these goals, Medvedev's government fleshed out such specific action plans as the avoidance of conflicts with other powers, the prevention of conflicts around Russia's borders, the activation of capital investment, and the introduction of advanced technology from the outside. This foreign policy line takes shape in the building of a foundation for strategic cooperation with the United States, the preparation for 'Modernization Alliance' with Europe, the management of cooperation and conflict with China and Japan, and the introduction of a dual strategy of strategic stability and economic integration in relations with post-soviet states. In Russia's new foreign policy line the strengthening of relations with the United States and Europe acquires highest priority. However, this does not mean a return to a 'pro-Western liberal line' in the early 1990s. The ultimate goal of Russia's 'modernization' program still lies in the rebuilding of a powerful Russia in accordance with the multipolar world order that was Putin administration's foreign policy line. In this context, foreign policy change under Medvedev administration could be defined as a 'program change at international level' that signifies a change in the means to achieve goals without changing them.