Review and Prospects of Proactive Administration in Republic of Korea’s Public Service Sector

Sangjung Park(Sangjung Park) 한국공공가치학회 2023 공공가치연구 Vol.5 No.-

Purpose: This article is to review the current state of proactive administration in the public service sector of Republic of Korea (ROK) and to present prospects for the people’s better life. Method: This study reviews previous research to identify obstacles of proactive administration and approaches an empirical analysis of progress in proactive administration to address mitigation options. Results: Public servants hesitated to perform their duties creatively and proactively, fearing that they would be punished if the results were not good. On the other hand, some public servants are abusing the purpose and incentives of proactive administration. Therefore, it is necessary to identify, predict, and mitigate issues that may or may occur in the process of promoting proactive administration. Conclusion: ROK government-wide efforts for proactive administration are necessary for the public service society to move in the right direction. The most important thing is the proper perception of public servants' proactive administration. To this end, it is essential to strengthen and actively utilize the teaching capabilities and skills of dedicated lecturers in connection with compulsory education. In particular, fair and strict punishment should be imposed on public servants who abuse proactive administrative incentives.

Assessment of Ki-67 for Predicting Effective Prognosis in Breast Cancer Subtypes

Sangjung Park,Sunyoung Park,Jungho Kim,Sungwoo Ahn,Kwang Hwa Park,Hyeyoung Lee 대한의생명과학회 2018 Biomedical Science Letters Vol.24 No.1

Ki-67 has been widely performed and become an important biomarker in worldwide clinics, but the standard cut off value of Ki-67 index in breast cancer is still controversy. The objective study was to understand the Ki-67 in breast cancer subtypes and to investigate relative risk of breast cancer subtypes according to Ki-67 cut off value in Korean breast cancer. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 index was examined from 123 breast cancer patients. Ki-67 index was significantly overexpressed in PR, ER, and HER2 hormone negative groups. Ki-67 index in Triple negative and HER2 subtypes was shown significantly higher than that in Luminal A and Luminal B subtype. Then, we compared the relative risk of each subtype according to 14% and 20% Ki-67 cut off value, which were applied in most clinics. Especially, 20% Ki-67 cut off value in HER2 and Triple negative subtypes was shown 8.41 fold and 2.83 fold higher relative risk than this in Luminal A subtype. Moreover, Ki-67 index in HER2 2+ or 3+ status showed significantly overexpressed than this in HER2 1+ status. At the 20% Ki-67 cut off value, HER2 1+ or 2+ status and 3+ status showed significant difference. Therefore, the 20% Ki-67 cut off value will be useful as a precise prognostic management and helpful for interpreting diverse outcomes of other subtypes in breast cancer patients.

Association of IGF1R polymorphisms with kidney function-related traits

Park Sangjung,Jin Hyun-Seok 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.12

Background Unimpaired kidney function is important for maintaining a healthy state of homeostasis in the body. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted on kidney function-associated traits and novel loci of Japanese subjects found that insulin-like-growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) gene variants associated with replication were responsible for all three kinds of kidney functions and satisfied the Bonferroni significance level. Objective This study aimed to investigate whether a comparable relationship exists in the Korean population. Method This study replicated three SNPs (rs28657002, rs10794486, and rs4966025) and conducted a linear regression analysis between 46 SNPs in the IGF1R gene and three kidney function-related traits, namely blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in Koreans. Results The IGF1R gene was found to be replicated with a significant correlation in Koreans and was extended to the entire gene region to confirm its association with kidney-related functions. Three SNPs in IGF1R were replicated (rs28657002, BUN, P = 3.39 × 10–4; rs10794486, creatinine, P = 5.79 × 10–6; rs4966025, eGFR, P = 1.57 × 10–5) and five SNPs (rs28657002, rs10794486, rs4966025, rs12439557, and rs11247372) showed common significance among the three traits. Additionally, two significant SNPs (rs11857366 and rs28657002) showed the potential to affect IGF1R expression. Conclusions The results suggest that genetic polymorphisms in the IGF1R replicated previous studies and could affect kidney function. The results of this study will further enhance our understanding of how genetic differences in individuals affect kidney function-related traits.

Replication Study of Association between Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3) Polymorphisms and Tuberculosis in Korean Population

Sangjung Park,Sung-Soo Kim,Hyun-Seok Jin,Jang-Eun Cho 대한의생명과학회 2020 Biomedical Science Letters Vol.26 No.1

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem worldwide. TB depends not only on the characteristics of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) but also on the genetic susceptibility of infected patients. Recent studies have suggested that FOXO3 play an important role in the human immune associated disorder, such as TB. It was previously reported that FOXO3 genetic variants associated with a risk of TB in Chinese population. In this study, we confirm whether the genetic polymorphism of the FOXO3 gene, which was previously in Chinese, is reproduced in Korean population. Of the 154 SNPs were extracted from the FOXO3 gene, reproducibility analysis of the four SNPs performed in the previous study showed that there was a statistically significant correlation in the three SNPs (rs4946935, rs1536057, rs3800228). This study suggests that polymorphism of the FOXO3 gene in Koreans may affect the onset of tuberculosis and could be used to treat and prevent tuberculosis.

Bfl-1/A1 Molecules are Induced in Mycobacterium Infected THP-1 Cells in the Early Time Points

Sangjung Park,Jang-Eun Cho,Yoon Suk Kim,Sang-Nae Cho,Hyeyoung Lee 대한의생명과학회 2012 Biomedical Science Letters Vol.18 No.3

Apoptosis is a physiological programmed cell death process. Tubercle bacilli inhibit apoptosis of alveolar macrophages and phagolysosome fusion. We investigated whether the Bcl-2 family anti-apoptotic member, Bfl-1/A1, plays an important role in the anti-apoptotic process during mycobacterial infection. PMA-treated human monocytoid THP-1 cells were infected with mycobacteria (H37Rv, BCG, and K-strain) at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10 for 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 48, or 72 h. In addition, PMA-treated THP-1 cells were pretreated with specific inhibitors for 45 min before stimulation with mycobacteria at an MOI of 10 for 4 h. After the indicated time, the cells were subject to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, and a Bfl-1/A1-specific Western blot was performed. In PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells, the expression level of Bfl-1/A1 mRNA was increased by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H37Rv infection. The mRNA level of Bfl-1/A1 peaked 3 h after MTB infection, then declined gradually until 9 h. However, Bfl-1/A1 mRNA induction gradually re-increased from 24 h to 72 h after MTB infection. No difference in Bfl-1/A1 expression was detected following infection with MTB H37Rv, K-strain, or M. bovis BCG. These results were not dependent on mycobacterial virulence. Moreover, mRNA levels of other anti-apoptotic molecules (Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL) were not increased after MTB H37Rv or K-strain infection. These results suggest that mycobacteria induce the innate immune host defense mechanisms that utilize Bfl-1/A1 molecules at early time points, regardless of virulence.

Major Issues and Response Strategies of UNC’s Revitalization

Sangjung Park,Hongje Cho J-INSTITUTE 2023 International Journal of Military Affairs Vol.8 No.-

Purpose: This study is to identify major issues related to the revitalization of the US-led UNC and to suggest an appropriate approach strategy for Republic of Korea(ROK). Method: In this research, the history of the United Nations Command(UNC) was reviewed in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution(UNSCR) enacted in response to the Korean War, which broke out due to North Korea's illegal and surprise invasion of the ROK. A literature review was conducted to identify major issues related to UNC’s revitalization, and the reliability of the study was increased by using the Delphi technique in a qualitative way through a group of experts. Results: Major issues for UNC revitalization were derived as follows. 1. United States' commitment to revitalize UNC, 2. Sustainability of UNC, 3. Establishment of chain of command between UNC and Future Combined Forces Command, 4. Scope of UNC member countries and participation of ROK forces in UNC Staff, 5. Declaration of the end of the Korean War, 6. Future UNC mission and role innovation. Conclusion: Republic of Korea should actively participate in the revitalization of the UNC for the national interests based on strategic clarity even though the ROK is not a founding country of the UNC. The United States is willing to innovate the future mission and role of the UNC as a multinational peacekeeper capable of supporting a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula while maintaining its influence in East Asia. In conclusion, it is important that the UNC continue to support liberal democracy in the Republic of Korea and develop into a multinational peacekeeping force in East Asia.

The Rapid Emergence of Autonomous Weapons (AWS) and its ethical challenges

Sangjung Park 한국공공가치학회 2023 공공가치연구 Vol.6 No.-

PSECF (Policy Streams & Expert Group Standing Change Framework) for Wartime Operational Control Transition

Park, SangJung,KOH, Chan 한국디지털정책학회 2014 디지털융복합연구 Vol.12 No.7

ROK’s Preparedness Direction against NK s WMD Threats

Sangjung Park,Hongje Cho,Yooshin Im J-INSTITUTE 2021 International Journal of Terrorism & National Secu Vol.6 No.3

Purpose: This article is to assess the threats of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction(WMD), including nuclear weapons, biological weapons, and chemical weapons. It also suggests the direction of the Republic of Korea to prepare for the North Korea’s threats of WMD. Method: The assessment of North Korea s WDM threats is derived from analysis of previous research and em-pirical insights from the experts. It covers the development progress, types, threats and capabilities of North Ko-rea s weapons of mass destruction. Through this process, this article seeks practical ways to eliminate North Ko-rea s WMD threats. Results: North Korea is estimated to have 20 to 60 nuclear weapons and can produce six new nukes per year. North Korea’s biological agents may include anthrax, cholera, yellow fever, smallpox, typhus, dysentery, plague, brucellosis, tularemia, epidemic hemorrhagic fever, botulinum toxin, yellow cattle toxin and so on. Pyongyang, which possesses up to 5,000 tons of chemical weapons, ranks third in the world after the U.S. and Russia. North Korea is estimated to be capable of producing 5,000 tons per year during armistice and 12,000 tons during war-time. Finally, North Korea could use its WMD against ROK, Japanese, and U.S. targets in the region. Conclusion: A combination of open negotiations and real pressure based on the strong ROK-U.S. alliance will be the best option for eliminating North Korea s WMD threats. The key is to induce the active participation of Chi-na, Japan, and Russia around the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, the international community s sanctions against North Korea s weapons of mass destruction threat should be continuously strengthened.

A Study on the NCO Basic Trainings to Improve Immediate Field Task Performance

Sangjung Park,Daegeun Lee,Gyunyeol Park J-INSTITUTE 2022 International Journal of Military Affairs Vol.7 No.1

Purpose: This research aims to analyze the current status of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Basic trainings at the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) NCO Academy and to suggest improvement options for immediate field task performance. Method: This study is to identify the capabilities of smart NCOs required in the era of the 4th industrial revolution. It also reviews previous research on 'NCO Comprehensive Development Plan 2.0' and 'NCO Strategy 2030' for the future of the military in connection with 'Defense Reform 2.0'. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, surveys are mainly conducted through online surveys and non-contact interviews with the NCO experts. Results: This research would propose a training course development plan based on the internal efforts of the NCO Academy and a survey of 678 soldiers including junior and senior NCOs and company commanders. It is necessary to realistically adjust the goals of the courses to achieve the basic combat skills and capabilities as a junior NCO. The current NCO basic course period needs to reduce from 18 weeks to 12 weeks and also the junior NCO leader course period needs to extend from 20 weeks to 25 weeks depending on the each refined training goal. Conclusion: The future of the army may depend on the smart NCO’s immediate field performance which is the core of the combat capabilities of tactical units. Therefore, the NCO basic training environments and programs of the ROKA NCO Academy should be substantially improved.