The Triple Helix of innovation as a double game involving domestic and foreign actors

Purpose:The collaboration relationships between innovation actors at a geographic level may be considered as grouping two separate layers,the domestic and the foreign.At the level of each layer,the relationships and the actors involved constitute a Triple Helix game.The paper distinguished three levels of analysis:the global grouping together all actors,the domestic grouping together domestic actors,and the foreign related to only actors from partner countries.Design/methodology/approach:Bibliographic records data from the Web of Science for South Korea and West Africa breakdown per innovation actors and distinguishing domestic and international collaboration are analyzed with game theory.The core,the Shapley value,and the nucleolus are computed at the three levels to measure the synergy between actors.Findings:The synergy operates more in South Korea than in West Africa;the government is more present in West Africa than in South Korea;domestic actors create more synergy in South Korea,but foreign more in West Africa;South Korea can consume all the foreign synergy,which is not the case of West Africa.Research limitations:Research data are limited to publication records;techniques and methods used may be extended to other research outputs.Practical implications:West African governments should increase their investment in science,technology,and innovation to benefit more from the synergy their innovation actors contributed at the foreign level.However,the results of the current study may not be sufficient to prove that greater investment will yield benefits from foreign synergies.Originality/value:This paper uses game theory to assess innovation systems by computing the contribution of foreign actors to knowledge production at an area level.It proposes an indicator to this end.

Net Effect of Short-Term Smoking Cessation on Mental Health Changes:Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting and Difference-in-Differences Method

Background:In response to the need for research clearly demonstrating the net effect of smoking cessation on mental health status,considering the causal relationship between smoking cessation and changes in mental health status,this study was undertaken.Thus,this study aimed to examine the net effect of short-term smoking cessation on five specific mental health metrics and the overall mental health status score.Methods:We used data from the first wave of the Korean Health Panel(KHP)Survey(2011–2013,2016–2018)and focused on men aged 19 years and older,to explore the effects of smoking cessation.We compared mental health status before and after cessation among current non-smokers who had quit smoking and continuous smokers.We ensured homogeneity between the two groups via inverse probability of treatment weighting(IPTW)and employed a difference-in-differences(DID)analysis to assess changes in mental health status.This study controlled for factors that could influence mental health and explored the net effect of short-term smoking cessation through difference-in-differences model using multiple regression analysis.Results:The results showed that short-term smoking cessation significantly alleviated mental and physical stress(p<0.1),reduced experiences of frustration(p<0.01),and improved the overall mental health status score(p<0.1).Conclusion:Thus,these results highlight a meaningful link between positive health behavior changes,such as smoking cessation,and enhanced mental health.Moreover,the application of temporal variables further improved the understanding of the causal relationship between health behaviors and mental health.

A Study on the Cross-Cultural Adaptation of International Chinese Teachers at Confucius Institutes in South Korea

International Chinese teachers are one of the determinants of the quality development of Confucius Institutes,and their cross-cultural sociocultural adaption,psychological adaption,and job adaption are in need of in-depth investigation and research.Based on previous research,this paper analyzed the cross-cultural adaptation of international Chinese teachers at Confucius Institutes in South Korea during 2022-2023 through surveys and personal interviews.The study found that the teachers’adaptation was best in terms of work,followed by sociocultural adaptation,and weakest in terms of psychological adaptation.In terms of work adaptation,attention should be focused on adapting to teaching language and teaching methods.In terms of sociocultural adaptation,the focus should be on adapting to personal communication.In terms of psychological adaptation,attention should be paid to feelings of loneliness and anxiety.The study also focused on the internal and external factors influencing their cross-cultural adaptation,as well as the true inner feelings of international Chinese teachers.The study found that factors such as English proficiency,gender,education,professional background,and overseas experience had little impact on teachers’cross-cultural adaptation,while factors such as Korean proficiency,participation in cross-cultural training before going to South Korea,understanding of Korean culture before going to South Korea,and length of time spent in working in South Korea had a greater impact on the cross-cultural adaptation of the research subjects.This study provides reliable reference materials for international Chinese teachers going to South Korea to improve their cross-cultural adaptation abilities and promote the reform and innovation of international Chinese education.

Significant risk and associated factors of active tuberculosis infection in Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease using anti-TNF agents

AIM:To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of Korean tuberculosis(TB) infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) undergoing anti-TNF treatment.METHODS:The data of IBD patients treated with anti-TNFs in 13 tertiary referral hospitals located in the southeastern region of Korea were collected retrospectively.They failed to show response or were intolerant to conventional treatments,including steroids or immunomodulators.Screening measures for latent TB infection(LTBI)and the incidence and risk factors ofactive TB infection after treatment with anti-TNFs were identified.RESULTS:Overall,376 IBD patients treated with antiTNF agents were recruited(male 255,mean age of anti-TNF therapy 32.5±13.0 years);277 had Crohn’s disease,99 had ulcerative colitis,294 used infliximab,and 82 used adalimumab.Before anti-TNF treatment,screening tests for LTBI including an interferon gamma release assay or a tuberculin skin test were performed in 82.2%of patients.Thirty patients(8%)had LTBI.Sixteen cases of active TB infection including one TB-related mortality occurred during 801 personyears(PY)follow-up(1997.4 cases per 100000 PY)after anti-TNF treatment.LTBI(OR=5.76,95%CI:1.57-21.20,P=0.008)and WBC count<5000 mm3(OR=4.5,95%CI:1.51-13.44,P=0.007)during follow-up were identified as independently associated risk factors.CONCLUSION:Anti-TNFs significantly increase the risk of TB infection in Korean patients with IBD.The considerable burden of TB and marked immunosuppression might be attributed to this risk.

Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean adults： the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND： Sarcopenia and non-alcoholic fatty liver dis- ease （NAFLD） share similar pathophysiological mechanisms, and the relationship between sarcopenia and NAFLD has been recently investigated. The study investigated whether low skel- etal muscle mass is differentially associated with NAFLD by gender in Korean adults. METHODS： We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The skeletal muscle index （SMI） was obtained by the appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by the weight. NAFLD was defined as a fatty liver index （FLI） 〉60 in the absence of other chronic liver disease. RESULTS： Among the included subjects, 18.3% （SE： 1.4%） in men and 7.0% （SE： 0.7%） in women were classified as having FLI-defined NAFLD. Most of the risk factors for FLI-defined NAFLD showed a significant negative correlation with the SMI in both genders. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that low SMI was associated with FLI-defined NAFLD, inde- pendent of other metabolic and lifestyle parameters in both genders [males： odds ratio （OR）=1.35; 95% confidence inter- val （CI）： 1.17-1.54; females： OR=1.36; 95% CI： 1.18-1.55]. The magnitude of the association between FLI-defined NAFLD and low SMI was higher in middle aged to elderly males （OR-1.50; 95% CI： 1.22-1.84） than in males less than 45 years of age （OR=1.25; 95% CI： 1.02-1.52） and in premenopausal females （OR=l.50; 95% CI： 1.12-2.03） than in postmenopausal females （OR-1.36; 95% CI： 1.20-1.54）.CONCLUSIONS： Low SMI is associated with the risk of FLI- defined NAFLD independent of other well-known metabolic risk factors in both genders. This association may differ ac- cording to age group or menopausal status. Further studies are warranted to confirm this relationship.

Surface and Upper-Level Features Associated with Wintertime Cold Surge Outbreaks in South Korea

The surface and upper-level features associated with a sharp drop ofwintertime daily temperature over South Korea is investigated in this study. This sharp drop indaily temperature is called a cold surge and is one of the most hazardous weather phenomena in EastAsian winters. An upper-level baroclinic wave of 60° wavelength propagating eastward at a phasespeed of 12° longitude per day across the continent of northern China from the west of Lake Baikaltoward the eastern coast of China causes the outbreak of cold air over South Korea. The coolingassociated with the upper-level baroclinic jvave is found at all altitudes under the geopotentialheight-fall center near the tropopause. The development in the ridge seems to derive the earlyevolution of the eastward-propagating sinusoidal wave, whereas the trough is connected directly withthe tropospheric temperature-drop. An enhancement of the wintertime East Asian jet stream after theoutbreak of a cold surge is a response to the steep temperature gradient associated with thedeveloping baroclinic wave.

Current guidelines for Helicobacter pylori treatment in East Asia 2022:Differences among China,Japan,and South Korea

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent in East Asia. The overallseroprevalence rate of H. pylori infection is 44.2% in China, 37.6%-43.2% in Japan,and 51.0% in South Korea. H. pylori can cause peptic ulcer disease and gastriccancer. East Asian countries have high rates of gastric cancer (age-standardizedincidence rate: 20-30 per 100000). The Kyoto global consensus report emphasizedthat H. pylori gastritis should be considered the main cause for the development ofgastric cancer. H. pylori treatment guidelines in China, Japan, and South Koreahave recently been revised according to data from each of those countries.However, emerging antibiotic resistance is an important barrier to H. pylorieradication. The recommended H. pylori treatment regimens differ among thosethree East Asian countries. In this review, recent guidelines and up-to-dateresearch on H. pylori treatment regimens from China, Japan, and South Korea arediscussed.

Development and Evaluation of Korean Nurses’ Core Competency Scale (KNCCS)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a Korean Nurses’ Core Competency Scale (KNCCS). Methods: This methodological research was conducted over two major steps. The first step involved developing a preliminary 70-item KNCCS based on an extensive literature review and the standards and criteria proposed by the Korean Accreditation of Nursing. The second step involved evaluating validity and reliability of the KNCCS. 528 newly graduated nurses recently employed in nine major hospitals were participated in this research for validation. Results: The final KNCCS consisted of 70 items. The exploratory factor analysis identified five subscales under which each item could be categorized: 1) human understanding and communication skills;2) professional attitudes;3) critical thinking and evaluation;4) general clinical performance;and 5) specific clinical performance. Conclusion: The KNCCS shows good reliability and validity. However, the test of both criterion and construct validity were recommended further.

Fossil-Winged Fruits of Fraxinus(Oleaceae) and Liriodendron(Magnoliaceae) from the Duho Formation,Pohang Basin,Korea

A total of 16 specimens of fossil-winged fruits were found from the Middle Miocene marine deposits, Duho Formation, Pohang Basin, Korea. They were identified into two structurally different groups： 15 specimens into a winged fruit of Fraxinus, and one specimen of Liriodendron. The most samaras （13 specimens） were identified as Fraxinus oishii, which is characterized by narrowly ovate or ovate-elliptic shapes that are 2.7-3.6 cm in length and 0.7-1 cm in width （i/w ratio=3.4-4）. The apexes of the Fraxinus oishii samara are round or slightly emarginated, and a seed of the samara is always located at the base, of which the general shape is narrow rhombic-ellipsoidal. The seed is 1.2-2 cm long and 0.5-0.7 cm wide. Two specimens are different from the samara of Fraxinus oishii. They have a 6.6 length/width ratio （3.3 cm long and 0.5 cm wide）, and thus, are temporarily classified into the Fraxinus sp. One specimen was recognized as a winged seed of Liriodendron meisenense. The wing is broadly lanceolate to elliptic in shape, has a smooth, acute apex, and is approximately 3 cm long and 0.7 cm wide. Samaras of Fraxinus oishii and Liriodendron meisenense were early reported from the Middle Miocene deposits from North Korea, but these specimens are the first discovery in South Korea. Further study of the Duho Formation may connect flora relationships between North and South Korea.

Factors associated with nursing students' willingness to care for older adults in Korea and the United States

Objective: Elderly health care needs increase and nurses' role for elderlies is vital.It is significant to identify nursing students' intention to care for elderlies.Thus,this study investigated nursing students' willingness to care for elderlies in Korea and the United States.Methods: The study was conducted with 437 undergraduate nursing students from Korea and the United States from May 25 to 31,2018.Participants completed a survey including frequency and quality of contact,anxiety about aging,empathy,attitude toward elderly,and willingness to care.Results: Study findings from the entire group showed that nursing students' willingness to care for the elderly was positively associated with contact quality (β =0.22,P<0.001) and empathy (β =0.12,P 0.009) but negatively associated with anxiety about aging (β =0.23,P < 0.001) and attitude toward the elderly (β =0.14,P =0.004).Contact quality (β=0.30,P < 0.001) was positively associated with the willingness to care in Korean students,whereas extended family living type (β =-0.15,P=0.012) and attitude toward the elderly (β =-0.18,P=0.005) negatively associated in US students.Conclusion: This study suggested that nursing educators reinforce contact quality and empathy but reduce anxiety about aging and attitude toward elderly to enhance future nurses' care quality.

Morphological and genetic comparison of two strains of a Prorocentrum species isolated from Zhejiang coastal water of China and Masan Bay of Korea

In this paper, we examined the detailed morphology of two strains of Prorocentrum isolated from the coastal waters of Zhejiang (Wenling area), China, and Masan Bay of Korea. A taxonomic comparison was made among strains on the basis of morphological and molecular data. The cellular dimensions of the Chinese Wenling strain (LAMB090508) and Korean strain (PDKS0206) were similar and the cells of both strains were of asymmetric and elongated shape. The posterior end of most cells was rounded. Megacytic zones of aged cells were broader with dense tiny knobs. The roundish nucleus was located in the posterior part of the cell. A few irregular shaped chloroplasts were distributed within the cell. The nucleotide similarity of the two strains, determined from the 5.8S rDNA-ITS sequences, was 99.83%. The comparative results of morphology and molecular analysis suggest that both strains isolated from China and Korea were the identical species, Prorocentrum donghaiense Lu.

Local Meteorological and Synoptic Characteristics of Fogs Formed over Incheon International Airport in the West Coast of Korea

Fogs observed over Incheon international airport （IIA） in the west coast of Korea from January 2002 to August 2006 are classified into categories of coastal fog, cold sea fog, and warm sea fog based on the areal extent of the fogs and the difference between the air temperature （T ） and the SST, i.e., cold sea fog if TSST = T -SST 〉 0~0C and warm sea fog if TSST 〈 0~0C. The numbers of coastal, cold, and warm sea fog cases are 64, 26, and 9. Coastal fogs form most frequently in winter, while cold sea fogs occur mostly in summer and warm sea fogs are observed from January to May but not in November and December. On average the air gets colder by 1.6~0C during the three hours leading up to the coastal fog formation, and an additional cooling of 1.1~0C occurs during the fog. The change in the dew point temperature （T_d） is minimal except during the fog （0.6~0C）. Decreases in T for the cold and warm sea fogs are relatively smaller. The average Td is higher than SST during the cold sea fog periods but this T_d is more than 4~0C higher than that for the corresponding non-fog days, suggesting that cold sea fogs be formed by the cooling of already humid air （i.e., T_d〉SST）. Increases of T_d are significant during the warm sea fog periods （1.4~0C）, implying that effcient moisture supply is essential to warm sea fog formation. Four major synoptic patterns are identified in association with the observed fogs. The most frequent is a north Pacific high that accounts for 38% of cases. Surface or upper inversions are present in 77%, 69%, and 81% of the fog periods for coastal, cold, and warm sea fogs, respectively.

Conodonts from the Sesong Slate and Hwajeol Formation(Guzhangian to Furongian) in the Taebaeksan Basin, Korea

Abundant conodont elements have been recovered from the Hwajeol Formation, to allow five zones to be erected： Proconodontus, Eoconodontus notchpeakensis, Cambrooistodus minutus, Cordylodus proavus, and Fryxellodontus inornatus-Monocostodus sevierensis-Semiacontiodus lavadamensis zones, in ascending order. More confident biozones are recognized in the Sesong Slate and lower Hwajeol Formation in the Makgol section, a part of the southern limb of the Baekunsan syncline, Taebaeksan Basin, Korea, especially focusing on the conodont biostratigraphic boundary of two units, and the subdivision potential of the previous ＂Proconodontus Zone＂, lowermost biozone of the Hwajeol Formation. Similarly, only a few conodont elements recovered from upper 14.5 m interval, namely the Furongian portion of the Sesong Slate, in the Makgol section did not allow erection of a biozone. Nevertheless, this part of the unit plus the basal 2.5 m interval of the Hwajeol Formation is characterized by the occurrence of Prooneotodus rotundatus（Druce and Jones）, Teridontus nakamurai（Nogami）, Phakelodus elongatus（An） and Phakelodus tenuis Müller. This interval marks the early Furongian ＂Prooneotodus rotundatus Zone＂. The rest of the measured section yielded relatively abundant conodonts, so three conodont biozones are proposed, based on the successive appearance of key species： Proconodontus tenuiserratus, Proconodontus posterocostatus, and Proconodontus muelleri zones, in ascending order, and thus allowing subdivision of the previous ＂Proconodontus Zone＂. The four conodont biozones are correlated with the relevant biozones of North and South China, and North America.

Cost-profit analysis for Japan-Russia and Japan-South Korea interconnectors

This paper describes the results of cost-profit analysis related to interconnectors for Japan-Russia and JapanSouth Korea based on the Asia International Grid Connection Study Group 2^(nd) report. The Group has been established in 2016 for conducting research on international electric power networks in Asia from the viewpoint of technology, investment and legal framework. 2^(nd) report of the Group was published in June 2018, examining the profitability of an interconnectors between Japan and neighboring countries. The Group has calculated expected profit from operation of these interconnectors.The Group has categorized interconnector business into four models from the survey of preceding and current business on grids and interconnectors. To clarify profitability, expected internal rate of return(IRR) was calculated for each business model based on estimated investment cost for each route. When interconnector is dedicated to specific power plants or suppliers and electricity can be sold at Japan wholesale market at 2016-2017 price level, positive IRR levels are expected in case that Free on Board(FOB) price lower than 7 JPY/kWh. When the investment will be covered by electricity tariff by final consumers, tariff for consumers will just slightly increase by approximately 0.1 JPY/kWh.

TT virus and hepatitis G virus infections in Korean blood donors and patients with chronic liver disease

AIM:To determine the prevalences of TTV and HGV infections among blood donors and patients with chronic liver disease in Korea,to investigate the association of TTV and HGV infections with blood transfusion,and to assess the correlation between TTV and HGV viremia and hepatic damage. METHODS:A total of 391 serum samples were examined in this study.Samples were obtained from healthy blood donors(n=110),hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)-positive donors(n=112),anti-hepatitis C virus(anti-HCV)-positive donors(n=69),patients with type B chronic liver disease (n=81),and patients with type C chronic liver disease(n=19). Trv DNA was detected using the hemi-nested PCR.HGV RNA was tested using RT-PCR.A history of blood transfusion and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were also determined. RESULTS:TTV DNA was detected in 8.2%of healthy blood donors,16.1%of HBsAg-positive donors,20.3%of anti- HCV-positive donors,21.0%of patients with type B chronic liver disease,and 21.1%of patients with type C chronic liver disease.HGV RNA was detected in 1.8%of healthy blood donors,1.8%of HBsAg-positive donors,17.4%of anti-HCV-positive donors,13.6%of patients with type B chronic liver disease,and 10.5%of patients with type C chronic liver disease.The prevalence of TTV and HGV infections in HBV- or HCV-positive donors and patients was significantly higher than in healthy blood donors(P<0.05), except for the detection rate of HGV in HBsAg-positive donors which was the same as for healthy donors.There was a history of transfusion in 66.7%of TTV DNA-positive patients and 76.9%of HGV RNA-positive patients(P<0.05).No significant increase in serum ALT and AST was detected in the TTV or HGV-positive donors and patients. CONCLUSION:TTV and HGV infections are more frequently found in donors and patients infected with HBV or HCV than in healthy blood donors.However,there is no significant association between TTV or HGV infections and liver injury.

Manifestation of Traditional Cultures in Classical Chinese and Korean Gardens

Classical garden as a kind of comprehensive art embodies a nation's culture and spirit, and culture has a direct impact on the style of classical gardens in the same period. Traditional Chinese and Korean gardens have intimate connection with each other and have their own unique systems. Also it is no exception in culture, that is, similar traditional cultures have different manifestations in their respective classical gardens. This study analyzes different manifestations of yin and yang and Five Elements Theory, thought of immortals and Confucianism in classical gardens of China and Korea.

Route designs and cost estimation for Japan-Russia and Japan-South Korea interconnections

This paper describes route designs and cost estimation for possible interconnections between Japan-Russia and between Japan-South Korea based on the Asia International Grid Connection Study Group 2^(nd) report. The Group has conducted a desktop study to design several cable routes as possible options. To optimize the route, the group studied a wide range of open data, regarding sea depth, fishery zones, geographic condition, available transmission capacity in connecting points inside Japan and so on. The result of desktop study shows that it is possible to keep sea depth for planned routes less than 300 m and length for most of designed routes is less than 600 km. Compare to existing undersea cables in Europe, proposed routes are not challenging from technical and geological viewpoints.The study shows that investment cost range, including cost for grid enhancement inside Japan, is from around 200 bn JPY to 600 bn JPY, depending on the routes. Annualized cost range is from around 8 to 24 bn JPY(for 25-year operation), which is not so large compare to 1800 bn JPY-average annual investment in transmission infrastructure by 10 power utilities in the past 23 years.

Comparative Study on Changes of Croplands Between North Korea and South Korea During 1990–2015

Studies on long-term change of cropland is of great significance to the utilization of land resources and the implementation of scientific agricultural policies. The Korean Peninsula, adjacent to China, plays an important role in the international environment of Northeast Asia. The Korean Peninsula includes South Korea and North Korea—two countries that have a great difference in their institutions and economic developments. Therefore, we aim to quantify the spatiotemporal changes of croplands in these two countries using Landsat Thematic Imager(TM) and Operational Land Imager(OLI) imagery, and to compare the differences of cropland changes between the two countries. This paper take full advantage of ODM approach(object-oriented segmentation and decision-tree classification based on multi-season imageries) to obtain the distribution of croplands in 1990 and 2015. Results showed that the overall classification accuracy of cropland data is 91.10% in 1990 and 92.52% in 2015. The croplands were mainly distributed in areas with slopes that were less than 8° and with elevations that were less than 300 m in the Korean Peninsula. However, in other region(slope > 8° or elevation > 300 m), the area and proportion of North Korea's croplands were significantly higher than that of South Korea. Croplands significantly increased by 15.02% in North Korea from 1990 to 2015. In contrast, croplands in South Korea slightly decreased by 1.32%. During the 25 years, policy shift, economic development, population growth, and urban sprawl played primary roles for cropland changes. Additionally, the regional differences of cropland changes were mainly due to different agriculture policies implemented by different countries. The achievements of this study can provide scientific guidance for the protection and sustainability of land resources.

Cause and consequence of landscape fragmentation and changing disturbance by socio-economic development in mountain landscape system of South Korea

Through the statistics and the analysis of landscape map, changes of lands use regime and landscape structure during 20 years were investigated in the agriculture forestry complexed mountain landscape system of Yangdong Myon, Yangpyung Gun in the central Korea. Landscape changes of this region was inter related to the recent socio economic development of rural life. Utilization of biomass and other traditional forest management were drastically abandoned in recent 10 years. Landscape analysis of maps showed that the area of secondary vegetation that had been sustained by human nature disturbance was decreased by using of plantation during this time. Those decreased areas were replaced to plantation for wood production and other purpose. Past area of woody species dominated in plantation also substituted to other species. Traditional human activity on secondary vegetation was disappeared. Consequently, the advanced management regimes such as new plantation and cultivation extending areas were increased in abandoned land.

Perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid(PFOS) concentrations in the South Korean agricultural environment: A national survey

Research on the occurrence of perfluorochemicals （PFCs） such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid （PFOS） and perfluorooctanoic acid （PFOA） in the agricultural environment is lacking, in spite of their potential risk via food chain transfer from aquatic and soil-plant systems to animals and/or humans. In the present study, for the first time, soil and water samples collected from 243 different agricultural sites adjacent to waste water treatment plants （WWTPs） belonging to 81 cities and 5 provinces with different levels of industrialization in South Korea were monitored for concentrations of PFOS and PFOA by use of solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy （LC-MS/MS）. Significant mean concentrations of PFOA （0.001-0.007 tJg L-1 water and 〈0.05-1.573 tJg kg-1 soil） and PFOS （0.001-0.22 tJg L-1 water and 〈0.05-0.741 pg kg-1 soil） were found in all samples. Concentrations of PFCs in soils were high, highlighting that soil is an important sink for PFCs in the agricultural environment. Samples from near WWTPs in Gyeongsang Province contained the highest concentrations of PFOS and PFOA, reflecting the concentration of heavy industry in the province. The concentrations of PFCs in agricultural water （most samples 〈0.05 pg L-~） and soils （most samples 〈1 IJg kg-~） from South Korea were less than acceptable guideline values, indicating that South Korea is not a hotspot of PFOS and PFOA contamination and that there is negligible risk to human and ecological health from these chemicals. However, further studies investigating the seasonal variation in PFOA, PFOS and other perfluorochemical concentrations in the agricultural environment are needed.