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Pattern and trend of scientific knowledge production in North Korea by a semantic network analysis of papers in journal titled technological innovation

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Abstract

This study aims to examine current trends and patterns of North Korea’s knowledge production in science and technology (S&T) by employing scientometrics analysis. In order to capture the distinctive nature and characteristics of S&T activities in the Global South, this study analyzes co-occurring keywords of papers in the North Korean journal titled Technological Innovation to construct and visualize semantic and network structure of scientific knowledge. Although S&T has long been emphasized as an important means of rebuilding the economy and society in the country, research and development (R&D) activities have been veiled in the shadows, mainly due to difficulties in accessing adequate data and information. The results found that the terms “use” and “method” are predominately associated with a variety of keywords concerning urgent domestic issues regarding energy resources, agriculture, virus, and industrial automation. This pattern of knowledge production is manifested in the national S&T policy framework that has primarily focused on applied and problem-solving knowledge and techniques responding to social and economic needs. While North Korea has embraced S&T as a strategic means to cope with challenges encountered in its autarkic economy, a close and interactive relationship has established between science, technology and society.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2019S1A5A8037993).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Interdisciplinary Industrial Studies, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, South Korea

    Jungwon Yoon

  2. Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea

    Han Woo Park

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  1. Jungwon Yoon
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  2. Han Woo Park
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Correspondence to Han Woo Park.

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Yoon, J., Park, H.W. Pattern and trend of scientific knowledge production in North Korea by a semantic network analysis of papers in journal titled technological innovation. Scientometrics 124, 1421–1438 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03497-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03497-3

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