• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2018

Recently, negative effects on human health such as disease caused by harmful environment have been dealt with seriously. In particular, studies on the effect of radon exposure, which is known as a primary carcinogen in lung cancer due to radioactive materials, have been actively studied. In Korea, since January 1, 2018, radon measurement is mandatory when building a new apartment, so it is necessary to measure the radon concentration and submit it to the local government and it should be posted where residents can see it. Radon has only recommended standards for multi-use facilities, but now it has decided to set recommendation standards for private homes. Therefore, it should now be possible to manage the radon in the environmental impact assessment phase as well as in the Post-environmental Impact Assessment. It should be possible to share health information such as the radon concentration and the risk of radon, and participation of health experts in the environmental impact assessment stage is required. Soil, air quality, hygiene and aerial items should be improved to take into account the effects of radon on human health during the environmental impact assessment process. If the level value of conncentration of radon shows above the recommended level, then alternative measures should be prepared and mitigation measures should be prepared as well.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.565-574
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• 2018

High population density in deltaic settings, especially in Asia, tends to increase and causes coastal flood risk because of lower elevations and significant subsidence. Large flood annually causes numerous deaths and huge economic losses. In this paper, an innovative technology of spatial satellite imagery has been used as tool to analyze the socio-economic flood-related damage in Mekong river basin. The relationship between nightlight intensity and flood damages has been determined for the period of 1992-2013 with a spatial resolution of 30 arc sec ($0.0083^{\circ}$), which is nearly one kilometer at the equator. Flow path distance was calculated to identify the distance of each cell to river network and to examine how nightlight intensity correlate to the area close to and far from river network. Statistical analysis results highlight the significant correlation between nocturnal luminosity intensity and flood-related damages in countries along the Mekong river (i.e., Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam). This result reveals that the areas close to the river network correspond to high human distribution and causes huge damage during flooding. The result may provide key information to the region with respect to decisions, attentions, and mitigation strategies.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.325-342
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• 2018

The Korea Emissions Trading Scheme ( K-ETS), which manages roughly 70% of the greenhouse gas emissions in South Korea, was initiated in 2015, after implementation of its 1st basic plan and the 1st allocation plan (2014) for the 1st phase (2015-2017). During the three and a half years since the launch of K-ETS, there have been critical policy change such as adjustment of the institutions involved, development and revision of the 2030 national GHG reduction roadmap, and change in the allocation plans. Moreover, lack of liquidity and fluctuation of carbon prices in the K-ETS market during this period has forced the Korean government to adjust the flexibility mechanism and auction permits of the market stability reserve. To evaluate the policy change in the K-ETS regarding conformance to its objectives, this study defines three objectives (Environmental Effectiveness, Cost Effectiveness and Economic Efficiency) and ten indicators. Evaluation of Environmental Effectiveness of K-ETS suggests that the national GHG reduction roadmap, coverage of GHG emitters and credibility of MRV positively affect GHG mitigation. However, there was a negative policy change implemented in 2017 that weakened the emission cap during the 1st phase. In terms of the Cost Effectiveness, the K-ETS policies related to market management and flexibility mechanism (e.g. banking, borrowing and offsets) were improved to deal with the liquidity shortage and permit price increase, which were caused by policy uncertainty and conservative behavior of firms during 2016-2018. Regarding Economic Efficiency, K-ETS expands benchmark?based allocation and began auction-based allocation; nevertheless, free allocation is being applied to sectors with high carbon leakage risk during the 2nd phase (2018-2020). As a result, it is worth evaluating the K-ETS policies that have been developed with respect to the three main objectives of ETS, considering the trial?and?error approach that has been followed since 2015. This study suggests that K-ETS policy should be modified to strengthen the emission cap, stabilize the market, expand auction-based allocation and build K-ETS specified funds during the 3rd phase (2021-2025).

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.209-218
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• 2019

Coastal cities suffer a great deal of storm and wind damage. The storm and wind characteristics vary between cities. Therefore, a storm and wind damage management system suited for specific characteristics is required for each coastal city. In this study, we analyze the current situation and establish the problem of storm and wind damage management system in regards to urban management, coastal management and disaster management. We also review the storm and wind damage management system for the USA and Japan. We consequently propose a plan to improve the storm and wind damage management system. As a result of the study, in terms of city management, we recommend the compulsory identification of disaster prevention districts, implementation of the integrated coastal city management plan, designation of natural disaster risk mitigation area as disaster prevention district, the division of disaster prevention district into wind damage prevention district, storm damage prevention district, erosion damage prevention district, the building of restrictions at the disaster prevention district by ordinance, etc. In regards to coastal management, we suggest the delegation of authority to delegate coastal erosion management area to the local government, the subdivision of coastal erosion management area into erosion serious area, erosion progress area, erosion concern area, the building restrictions at coastal erosion management area by ordinance, development of erosion prediction chart, etc. In relation to disaster management, we recommend the integration of "countermeasures against natural disasters act" and "disasters and safety management basic act", the local government-led disaster prevention system, the local disaster management network, and the customized local disaster prevention plan, etc.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.55-69
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• 2018

As disaster risk and climate change volatility increase, there are more efforts to adapt to disasters such as forest fires, floods, and landslides. Most of the research, however, is about influence of human activities on disaster and there is few research on disaster adaptation for species. Previous studies focusing on biodiversity in selecting conservation areas have not addressed threats of disaster in the habitats for species. The natural disasters sometimes play role of drivers of ecological successions in the long run, but they might cause serious problems for the conservation of vulnerable species which are endangered. The purpose of this study is to determine whether soil loss (SL) is effective in selecting habitat management areas for amphibians and reptiles. RUSLE model was used to calculate soil loss (SL) and the distribution of each species (SD) was computed with MaxEnt model to find out the biodiversity index. In order to select the habitat management area, we estimated the different results depending if value of soil loss was applied or not by using MARXAN, a conservation priority selection tool. With using MARXAN, conservation goals can be achieved according to the scenario objectives, and the study has been made to meet the minimum habitat area. Finally, the results are expressed in two; 1) the result of soil loss and biodiversity with MATRIX method and 2) the result of regional difference calculated with MARXAN conservation prioritization considering soil loss. The first result indicates that the area with high soil loss and low species diversity have lower conservation values and thus can be managed as natural disturbances. In the area where soil loss is high and species diversity is also high, it becomes where a disaster mitigation action should be taken for the species. According to the conservation priorities of the second result, higher effectiveness of conservation was obtained with fewer area when it considered SL in addition to SD, compared to when considered only biodiversity. When the SL was not taken into consideration, forest area with high distribution of species were important, but when SL considered, the agricultural area or downstream of the river were represented to be a major part of habitats. If more species data or disaster parameters other than soil loss are added as variables later, it could contribute as a reference material for decision-making to achieve various purposes.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.114-124
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• 2021

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction effects of individual socioeconomic status and regional deprivation on the onset of diabetes complications and diabetes-related hospitalization among type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort data from 2002 to 2013 were used. A total of 50,954 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes from 2004 to 2012 and aged 30 years or above were included. We classified patients into six groups according to individual income level and neighborhood deprivation: 'high in advantaged,' 'high in disadvantaged,' 'middle in advantaged,' 'middle in disadvantaged,' 'low in advantaged,' and 'low in disadvantaged.' We calculated hazard ratios (HR) of onset of diabetes complication and diabetes-related hospitalization using the Cox proportional hazard model, with the reference group as diabetes patients with high income in advantaged regions. Results: In terms of the interaction effects of individual income level and regional socioeconomic level, even with the same low individual income level, the group with a high regional socioeconomic level (low in advantaged) showed low HRs for the onset of diabetes complication (HR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.08) compared to the 'low in disadvantaged' group (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.16). In addition, the 'high in advantaged' group showed slightly higher HRs for the onset of diabetes complication (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00-1.11) compared to the 'low in advantaged' and it appeared to be associated with slight mitigation of the risk of diabetes complication. For the low-income level, the patients in disadvantaged regions showed the highest HRs for diabetes-related hospitalization (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.19-1.41) compared to the other groups. Conclusion: Although we need to perform further investigations to reveal the mechanisms that led to our results, interaction effects individual socioeconomic status and regional deprivation might be associated with on onset of diabetes complications and diabetes-related hospitalization among type 2 diabetes patients.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.345-352
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• 2023

Recently, the risk of snow disasters has been increasing South Korea. The damages of heavy snow were categorized into direct and indirect. Direct damage is usually the collapse of buildings as houses, greenhouse or barns. Indirect damage is various, for example, traffic congestion, traffic acident, drop damage, and so on. In South Korea, direct damage is severe in rural area, mosty collapse of greenhouse or barns. However, indirect damage such as traffic accident is mostly occurred in urban area. Therefore, the regional characteristics should be considered when vulnerability is evaluated. Therefore, in this study, the PSR and DPSIR method were applied by regional scale in South Korea. The PSR evaluation method is divided into pressure, state, and reaction index. however, the DPSIR evaluation method is divided into Driving force, Pressure, State, Impact, and Response index. the DPSIR evaluation method is divided into Driving force, Pressure, State, Impact, and Response index. Data corresponding to each indicator were collected, and the weight was calculated using the entropy method to calculate the snowfall vulnerability index by regional scale in South Korea. Calculated heavy snow damage vulnerabilities from the two methods were compared. The calculated vulnerabilities were validated using the recent snow damage in South Korea from 2018 to 2022. Snow vulnerability index calculated using the DPSIR method showed more reliable results. The results of this study could be utilized as an information to prepare the mitigation of heavy snow damage and to establish an efficient snow removal response system.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.270-283
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• 2024

Purpose: Considering the rising frequency of earthquakes in Korea, it is crucial to revise the rainfall thresholds for landslide triggering following earthquake events. This study was conducted to provide scientific justification and preliminary data for adjusting rainfall thresholds for landslide early warnings after earthquakes through soil physical experiments. Method: The study analyzed the change in soil shear strength by direct shear tests on disturbed and undisturbed samples collected from cut slopes. Also, The study analyzed the soil strength parameters of remolded soil samples subjected to drying and wetting conditions, focusing on the relationship between the degree of saturation after submergence and the strength parameters. Result: Compaction water content variation in direct shear tests showed that higher water content and saturation in disturbed samples led to a significant decrease in cohesion (over 50%) and a reduction in shear resistance angle (1~2°). Additionally, during the ring shear tests, the shear strength was observed to gradually decrease once water was supplied to the shear plane. The maximum shear strength decreased by approximately 65-75%, while the residual shear strength decreased by approximately 53-60%. Conclusion: Seismic activity amplifies landslide risk during subsequent rainfall, necessitating proactive mitigation strategies in earthquake-prone areas. This research is anticipated to provide scientific justification and preliminary data for reducing the rainfall threshold for landslide initiation in earthquake-susceptible regions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.630-638
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• 2011

This study aims to verify the economic validity of the REDD project in North Korea by estimating the potential carbon credits and the cost of REDD project. The REDD potential credits of North Korea are estimated based on the international statistics of forest area and population from 1990 to 2010, and the cost of REDD project is estimated indirectly by annual land opportunity cost of agriculture assuming that South Korea will aid the food production per area in North Korea. When the 25% reduction scenario was applied to the annual deforestation rate in North Korea, the potential REDD credits were estimated to be $4,232million{\sim}5,290milliontCO_2eq.$ for 20 years. It would account for 28~35% of South Korea's national medium-term greenhouse gas reduction target. On the other hand, the break-even price of REDD project was calculated as the profit of agriculture in the land available by forest conversion in North Korea. It was estimated to be 19.19$/$tCO_2eq.$ when the non-permanence risk of forest conserved through a REDD contract is assumed to be 20%. This price is higher than the price of REDD carbon credit 5$/$tCO_2eq.$ dealt in the 2010 voluntary carbon market, leading to no economic feasibility. However, REDD project provides co-benefits besides climate mitigation. As previous studies indicate, the break-even price is lower than 20$/$tCO_2eq.$, which is the social marginal cost of greenhouse gas emissions by loss of forest. Therefore REDD in North Korea can be justified against the social benefits. The economic feasibility of REDD project in North Korea can be largely influenced by the risk percentage. Thus, North Korean REDD project needs a strong guarantee and involvement by the government and people of North Korea to assure the project's economic feasibility.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Seismic reflection surveying is one of the most widely used and effective techniques for coal seam structure delineation and risk mitigation for underground longwall mining. However, the ability of the method can be compromised by the presence of volcanic cover. This problem arises within parts of the Bowen and Sydney Basins of Australia and seismic surveying can be unsuccessful. As a consequence, such areas are less attractive for coal mining. Techniques to improve the success of seismic surveying over basalt flows are needed. In this paper, we use elastic wave-equation-based forward modelling techniques to investigate the effects and characteristics of seismic wave propagation under different settings involving changes in basalt properties, its thickness, lateral extent, relative position to the shot position and various forms of inhomogeneity. The modelling results suggests that: 1) basalts with high impedance contrasts and multiple flows generate strong multiples and weak reflectors; 2) thin basalts have less effect than thick basalts; 3) partial basalt cover has less effect than full basalt cover; 4) low frequency seismic waves (especially at large offsets) have better penetration through the basalt than high frequency waves; and 5) the deeper the coal seams are below basalts of limited extent, the less influence the basalts will have on the wave propagation. In addition to providing insights into the issues that arise when seismic surveying under basalts, these observations suggest that careful management of seismic noise and the acquisition of long-offset seismic data with low-frequency geophones have the potential to improve the seismic results.