Recently, the value and awareness of Environment-friendly agriculture in terms of sustainability are gradually increasing not only globally but also in South Korea. Accordingly, several previous studies have mentioned the necessity of expanding Environment-friendly agriculture and supporting farmers. But studies reflecting the opinions of actual farmers are insufficient. In this study, opinions on the status of Environment-friendly agriculture, overall perception, and certification system were investigated and analyzed for those engaged in Environment-friendly agriculture and Conventional agriculture. It was intended to derive humanities and social implications that could be generalized through a quantitative approach of the national population, and basic data based on the field were prepared that could be reflected in future agricultural policies. To this end, a regression analysis of satisfaction with the Environment-friendly certification system was conducted to derive significant variables. As a result, it was found that age and the expertise of the certification authority and the role of the related agency had a positive relationship with the satisfaction of the certification system. On the other hand, duration of Environment-friendly agriculture, the strictness of the certification standards and the lack of benefits for certified farmers had a negative relationship with the satisfaction of the certification system. From this, although the reliability of the certification system and the certification authority itself is high, the necessity of improving the system further considering the reality of the rural environment was derived. From a mid to long-term perspective, this study, which investigated the perceptions and conditions of actual farmers to expand Environment-friendly agriculture, can contribute to improving Environment-friendly agriculture policies in the future.
This study aims to analyze policy priorities for enhancing the quality of life of residents in island regions and to propose utilization strategies. With the enactment of the 「Island Development Promotion Act」 and the 「Special Act on Support for Islands on the Periphery of the Territory」, along with the introduction of the “marine living zones” concept, there is growing policy interest in improving the living environment and welfare of island residents. However, comprehensive and systematic research and policy formulation for island regions are limited, highlighting the need for policies that reflect the actual demands of the residents. This study employed the modified Importance-Performance Analysis(IPA) method to measure residents' perceptions of the quality of life in island regions and to derive policy priorities based on these perceptions. The findings reveal significant differences in the perceived living conditions between residents of general islands and those of islands on the periphery of the territory, underscoring the necessity of tailored policies for each island's characteristics. Key policy recommendations from the study include: 1) the need for diversified policy approaches considering the unique attributes of different islands, 2) improvement of living conditions based on the demands of island residents, 3) effective implementation of economic and job support policies, and 4) enhancement of the quality of medical, educational, and welfare services. This study provides crucial insights into the assessment of living conditions for island residents and establishes a foundation for setting policy priorities aimed at improving their quality of life. The findings can significantly contribute to future policy formulation focused on the well-being of island communities. 1)
Recently, rural areas are facing the situation of population aging, weakening of village communities, and also facing the crisis of regional extinction. This study analyzed the relationship between rural experience cultural activities and the sense of community, regional attachment, and community satisfaction at the village level for residents of four villages in Wanju-gun (Wonyongam, Dueok Happy Dream, Sinbong, and Yegok). The case area is a village where cultural experience activities are conducted for village residents and where a majority of residents participate. The main implications of the analysis results are as follows: First, it is necessary to increase regional attachment by developing customized rural cultural experience programs that can satisfy the needs of village residents and improve their sense of membership. Second, considering that rural experience cultural activities are conducted in the case area villages, regional attachment is high and the satisfaction of the village residents in the community is generally good, we should seek ways to continuously maintain rural experience cultural activities. Third, in addition to rural experience cultural activities that can link the regional attachment and community satisfaction of village residents, other cultural activities should be linked and expanded from the village to the community. 1)
Reading the Cultural Landscape Value of Jeju’s Batdam, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System Site, through Phenology - Focused on ‘Yeongdeung Halmang Batdam’ in Gwiduk 1-ri -
정다애 Chung Da-ae , 김도은 Kim Do-eun , 서준원 Suh Joon-won , 손용훈 Son Yonghoon , 조경진 Zoh Kyung-jin
This study focused on the Jeju Batdam, a traditional landscape system designated as a GIAHS(Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System) site, which has not only supported the agricultural system but also the lives of Jeju Island residents. Despite its mixed value, there has been a lack of research consideration on this subject. Therefore, this study aims to highlight the historical and cultural significance of Jeju Batdam as a cultural landscape by applying the phenological calendar, a time-series analysis method for landscapes, to interpret its value. The study specifically targets Gwiduk 1-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, to understand cultural aspects related to Batdam, the lifestyle of local residents, and their daily lives through interviews and field surveys. The cultural landscape characteristics of Jeju Batdam, as interpreted from the study results, include: ‘Diversification of crops due to environmental changes’, ‘Places of childhood memories and everyday experiences embedded in lives of residents through Batdam’, ‘Inheritance of the Batdam spirit reflecting locality and community culture’, and ‘Development of new value through the utilization and connection of Batdam resources’. Through this, the study presents a new perspective on understanding the dynamic meanings and cultural landscape value of Jeju Batdam as it has evolved over time. It suggests the need to go beyond a system that focuses solely on the preservation and protection of Batdam as a physical artifact, and instead recognize and preserve its hidden cultural landscape value as a dynamic landscape. This study is expected to serve as a useful framework for identifying the significant past values of Batdam and for the future sustainable preservation and revitalization of Batdam. 1)
Analyzing the Location Characteristics of Public Service Facilities Based on Rural Population Size - A Focus on Japan's Study on Service Facility Closure and Maintenance Thresholds -
유준완 Yu Joon-wan , 김상범 Kim Sang-bum , 김수연 Kim Suyeon
This study analyzes the location characteristics of public service facilities in rural areas affected by population decline and proposes closure and maintenance thresholds for these facilities, drawing on the methodology used by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. The study focuses on 17 types of public service facilities, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, elderly welfare centers, laundromats, bathhouses, convenience stores, cafes, financial institutions, high schools, libraries, and cinemas. Using 2020 population data from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and local government facility data, the analysis covers 1,403 townships to calculate the probability of facility existence based on population size. The results reveal that in areas with populations under 3,000, many service facilities fall below the closure threshold, indicating sustainability challenges. Moreover, the thresholds vary by facility type, with certain services like cinemas only being viable in areas with populations exceeding 10,000. This study offers policy insights for optimizing the distribution and investment of public service facilities in rural regions, and it can serve as a foundational resource for future rural development planning. However, the study is limited by its reliance on 2020 data, which may not fully capture recent population shifts or facility usage patterns, and by its focus on township-level analysis without considering regional accessibility or cross-border facility usage. 1)
The purpose of this study is to analyze the economies of scale in fruit production(apples, pears, peaches, and field-cultivated grapes). The raw data of the Rural Development Administration's agricultural income survey from 2015 to 2021 were used. The translog cost function and the share equation of the production factors were estimated simultaneously using seemingly unrelated regression. The results show that the optimal production scales were 9.81 ha for apples, 11.91 ha for pears, 11.14 ha for peaches, and 3.99 ha for field-cultivated grapes, respectively. The results also indicated that the cost elasticities on average areas were 0.354 for apples, 0.293 for pears, 0.261 for peaches, and 0.312 for field-cultivated grapes, respectively. Additionally, the cost elasticities on specialized fruit farms were 0.295 for apples, 0.230 for pears, 0.179 for peaches, 0.119 for field-cultivated grapes, respectively. The results of this study are expected to provide useful information for policies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of fruit production, such as establishing standards for full-time fruit farms. 1)
The Study on Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis for Classifying Homogeneous Areas in Rural Spaces -Focusing on Population Structure Changes in Sangju-si-
This study aims to present a case for establishing rural spatial planning in the population sector by examining the spatial distribution changes and identifying common regional characteristics based on age-specific population structures. To achieve this, the study analyzes the population distribution of Sangju-si, focusing on the changes in total population, the proportion of the working-age population, and the proportion of the elderly population through spatial autocorrelation analysis. The results reveal that the population of Sangju-si has been declining in the northwest and west, with a noticeable concentration of population in the eastern areas. The working-age population ratio is higher in the eastern region, while the western region, despite having a small overall population, shows particularly low proportions of working-age individuals. In terms of the elderly population ratio, regions surrounding the eastern area exhibit relatively higher proportions of elderly compared to the eastern area. The western region, with its smaller population, shows a qualitatively higher proportion of elderly individuals, indicating a serious aging issue. This appears to be a result of the concentration of younger working-age populations in and around the eastern region, leading to a lower proportion of elderly in those areas. Although this analysis is limited to population structure, it reveals an imbalance in the development between the eastern and western regions of Sangju-si. To address this imbalance and foster balanced development, specific strategies such as job creation and enhanced service delivery are needed for the western region, which appears to be relatively underdeveloped. 1)
In this study, it is observed that rural areas in reality exhibit irregular spatial structures. Consequently, setting a circular radius centered around a hub area as the central zone has limitations in reflecting the actual spatial layout. Therefore, this research serves as a foundational study for establishing central zones in rural areas, with the objective of analyzing the spatial distribution patterns of central zones using the rural center as a reference point. The study selected rural areas that have developed central zones, targeting 16 rural towns within Chungcheongbuk-do. To determine the central point, both administrative and economic central points were considered. Using these central points as references, the study divided the area into eight segments in a fan-shaped pattern within 300m and 500m radii, establishing development directions. The spatial density of buildings in each direction was analyzed, ultimately allowing for an analysis of the spatial characteristics of the central zone. It was evident that the majority of rural areas exhibit irregular structures. 1)
Due to the recent water shortage caused by climate change, it is possible to evaluate water conservation effects through agricultural water policies and efficient water resource management by using the water footprint of rice fields,. In this study, we investigated the paddy rice water footprint under water management using the Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender Paddy(APEX-Paddy) model corrected by applying the infiltration monitoring results. The water management scenario applied to the model is Continuously Flooding(CF), Intermittent Drainage(ID), Alternate Wetting and Drying(AWD). Considering only the consumption use, the green water footprint of CF, CF+ID, and ID+AWD were 405.1 ㎥/ton, 418.7 ㎥/ton, and 426.2 ㎥/ton, and the blue water footprint were 589.0 ㎥/ton, 549.8 ㎥/ton, and 530.3 ㎥/ton, the total water footprint were 994.1 ㎥/ton, 968.6 ㎥/ton, and 956.5 ㎥/ton. In the case of water footprint including return flow, the return flow rate of CF, CF+ID, ID+AWD were 62.9%, 58.8%, and 56.0%. Also, over the past 30 years, the water footprint in the 2010s has increased from 13.7% to 16.9% compared with the 1990s. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for calculating the water footprint of rice fields and disseminating rice field water management technology for efficient management of agricultural water. 1)
This study examines the potential of urban agriculture through an empirical experiment using vertical planters for hydroponic farming on the rooftop of Seoul National University. The results show that vertical planters can make highly efficient use of space, allowing a diverse range of crops to thrive in a compact rooftop area. Participants reported high satisfaction with the fresh, flavorful vegetables grown and appreciated the educational and hands-on experience the activity provided. However, the experiment highlighted several challenges. The system proved vulnerable to external factors, including strong winds and extreme weather, which led to inconsistent crop growth. Additionally, high initial installation costs and ongoing maintenance expenses were significant barriers to broader adoption. Even with automation systems in place, frequent manual adjustments were needed to manage issues like nutrient and water supply. Some crops, especially those with deeper root systems, had difficulty adapting to the vertical planters, leading to issues like stem crowding, leaf wilting, and nutrient deficiencies such as chlorosis. Despite these challenges, the study's findings suggest that vertical hydroponic farming is a viable option for expanding urban agriculture in densely populated areas, especially for "Rurbanites"―city dwellers who wish to cultivate crops and vegetables within the city. It offers valuable opportunities for community engagement and educational programs, making it a promising approach to integrating agriculture into urban spaces. Looking ahead, enhancing the structural durability of vertical planters and refining automation systems will be essential to reduce the labor demands of maintenance. Expanding educational outreach and community involvement will also be crucial to encourage greater participation and ensure the sustainability of urban agriculture initiatives. 1)
