DB Model Development For Electronic Encyclopedia Of Korean Culture

The Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) recently developed a data base model for the Publication project of the Electronic Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. The Electronic Encyclopedia of Korean Culture is to be a modern `Donggukyeojiseongram,` which will create a data base and provide cultural information of every region through the internet. AKS is currently providing, through its homepage (www.aks.ac.kr/hyangto), materials of sample areas such as Kanghwa in Inchon, Songnam in Kyonggi, Munkyung in North Kyongsang, and Jangseong in South Cholla.

The recently completed DB model includes detail information and materials of the nine areas: ground of life (nature and geography), history of life (local history), trace of life (cultural heritage), subject of life (surnames and figures), frame of life (politics and economy), content of life (religion and culture), stories of life (oral tradition and literature).

The web site is also equipped with the functions of subject word search, multimedia search, and area search. It also provides sound materials, pictures and MP materials. AKS is planning to gradually expand the service to the all-256 areas of the nation.

The Electronic Encyclopedia of Korean Culture is getting more attention for its focus on the local cultures which have been alienated from the central culture.

Park Dong-Ju, team director of Korean Studies Information Center, said, ``It is necessary to strengthen the researches on the local folk cultures in accordance with the localization in the areas of politics and society.`` With the development of the database model, the academy will continue to collect the materials and conduct long term researches on the local cultures.

skkim@donga.com