Current issue

Korean temple

Volume 16, Number 1, 2019

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Articles

  • Pages: 1–40

    Nguyen Van Khanh & Phung Chi Kien

    Abstract: The aftermath of Korean unification is likely to generate challenging puzzles for policy-makers from parties concerned. More specifically, if the North and the South were to be unified, social integration would be one of the greatest issues facing the Korea, one which researchers and policy-makers should focus on in order to formulate effective solutions as soon as possible. This article concentrates on interpreting international experiences (the case of Vietnam) of integrating a new society following national unification, pointing out hurdles to social integration to a unified Korea and some helpful policy recommendations. The article designs a scenario about social integration after Korean unification which shows that redistribution of socio-economic resources may be main challenge for the newly-established state. It is one of the first studies which directly concern the topic of Korean reunification based on the case study of Vietnam and its post-unification experiences.

  • Pages: 41-68

    Kyungja Jung & Yong Moon Jung

    Abstract: Transnational temporal migration is becoming increasingly prominent. Neo-liberalised governance has pushed more governments to develop temporal migration programs to relieve skill and labour shortages and, more broadly, to boost economic growth and development. Young people regard short-term migration programs are as a valuable chance to obtain global experience, to the extent that temporal migration has become a rite of passage. This paper offers an overview of temporary migration from South Korea to Australia and identifies the structural factors affecting this temporary transnational mobility, namely regulatory regimes, policies and relevant programs. The data sources in this paper are entirely secondary, consisting of published and unpublished research papers, newspaper articles, statistical data and various government and non-government organisation information and policy documents. Through a historical review of changing migration policies and discourses, the paper explores the ways in which temporal migration has been constructed by the state, in both South Korea and Australia. The paper sheds light into both structural and personal factors that motivate young Koreans to come to Australia on a temporary visa. The paper proposes future directions for research on temporary migration.

  • Pages: 69-90

    Bong Jeong Lee

    Abstract: Since the late 1990s, an increasing number of Korean children and adolescents have gone overseas in the belief that an English monolingual classroom is an optimal learning environment for their English acquisition. This study explores the lived experience of Korean youths in their early study abroad in Australia, with the aim of gaining a deep understanding of their school adjustments. In doing so, the paper constructs the narratives of three Korean youths who studied in Australia in their pre-adulthood from their perspectives. The narratives reveal that while the language barrier was central to their challenges, finding companions and friendship also played a significant role in their adjustments and had long-term effects. The paper concludes that schools need to gain a better understanding of the nature of early study abroad and promote an inclusive school culture.

  • Pages: 91-114

    Hyunsook Kim

    Abstract: With technological advancement in Industry 4.0, the significance of in-service training is increasing for the Korean fashion business. Well-designed in-service training courses are crucial for a successful transition of jobs in disruptive technological environments. The purpose of this study is: 1) to evaluate the current status of government-sponsored in-service training in the Korean fashion industry, and 2) to propose the future directions of in-service training for a successful digital transformation. For this purpose, data on in-service training for the fashion business held in 2019 are analysed. Prospects and implications are also discussed.

  • Pages: 115-132

    Sooyoung Sul

    Abstract: This research uses panel data of the Korean baseball league, the most popular professional sports league in Korea, and quantitatively analyses the validity of the competitive balance theory. Competitive balance theory, which argues that close-call games attract more fans to live viewing, is widely accepted in the field of sport economics. The research findings indicate that the theory is not properly applicable to the case of the Korean baseball league; seat occupancy rates for individual games were found to monotonously increase as win rates of the home team increase. Other variables hypothesized to be influential to seat occupancy rates, including population and income, were found to be significant in limited cases. More empirical research should be conducted for a variety of sports in different countries in order to conclude the validity of the competitive balance theory.

Korean Studies update

  • Pages: 133-154

    Noorsaadah Abdul Rahman