Volume 21, Number 2 (2022)
Published Dec 31, 2022 · 4 articles
Research Article · pp. 1-12
Rumors that Move People to Action: A Case of the 2019 Hong Kong ProtestsK. Hazel Kwon
A good story persuades people to act. The mobilizing power of a story, however, does not necessarily rely on informational fidelity. During political unrests, word-of-mouth can intermix facts with unverified claims and emotional outrage, often transforming reality into convincing rumor stories. This rapid communication article discusses how rumor publics (dis)approve and participate in 2019 Hong Kong Protests. This survey study finds that police injustice and brutality were the predominant themes of the collected rumor stories, although some stories contained mixed views or anti-protest claims. Rumors of police injustice and brutality were associated with less negative attitudes toward the protests, especially when respondents believed the story. The relationship between rumor stories and protest participation was less obvious, except for rumors about an individual protester's whereabout. This study discusses the ways in which rumor is embedded in contentious political processes.
doi:10.17477/jcea.2022.21.2.001 PDF on KoreaScienceRumorsHong Kong protestsPolitical unrestsMisinformation
Research Article · pp. 13-26
The Emotional Dimensions of North Korean Politics through the Lens of Historical InstitutionalismHwajung Kim
This study explores the following research question to address issues linked to emotions, identity, and institutions: how has the cult (institution) of the three Kims affected North Koreans' strong sense of nationalism (emotion), which is based on their Juche ideology (identity)? This paper investigates four fundamental elements of historical institutionalism: time boundedness, path dependency, institutional changes, and the shadow of the past. First, time boundedness illustrates how culture and education have been used to build trust and loyalty in the general public to construct individual and family cults. Second, path dependence reveals how the Songbun system has resulted in strong nationalism throughout Rodongdang's institutionalization. Third, institutional changes highlight the significance of age divides, as different age groups do not always support the three Kims' cult. Finally, the shadow of the past helps us understand the primary processes for generating mass ardent nationalism in the form of powerful impulses for self-sacrifice.
doi:10.17477/jcea.2022.21.2.013 PDF on KoreaScienceNorth KoreaThe cult of the three KimsEmotionsHistorical institutionalism
Research Article · pp. 27-46
Digital Technology Practices and Vaccine Campaign in Korea: International Perceptions on Health Diplomacy amid COVID-19 CrisisIffat Tahira
The purpose of this study is two-fold: first, to discuss the concept of health diplomacy and the Korean government's response to contain the COVID-19 pandemic; second, to assess and compare assumptions of variances about foreigners' perceptions of how Korea is leveraging digital technology in battling the coronavirus spread, and its vaccine campaign; through the lenses of Chinese, Filipino, and Pakistani foreign nationals who are currently living in Korea. A total of 219 foreigners responded to the survey. The collected data were analyzed as percentages, mean averages, t-test, and ANOVA for statistical analysis. Results show that Korea is utilizing its digital technology practices and vaccine campaign in battling the pandemic through efforts of health diplomacy. ANOVA indicated significant results and assumptions of variance across three ethnic groups showing the Pakistani population had higher mean scores than the Chinese and Filipino about Korea's health diplomacy during the pandemic. This study contributes to the literature on Korea's digital technology practices and vaccine campaigns amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by promoting its image through health diplomacy efforts. It projects the country's soft image on a global scale, to save the lives of locals and foreign nationals, by providing insights into health diplomacy in Korea.
doi:10.17477/jcea.2022.21.2.027 PDF on KoreaScienceCoronavirusContact tracingGovernment responseHealth diplomacyVaccine
Research Article · pp. 47-68
Determinants of Financial Literacy and Digital Literacy on Financial Performance in Driving Post-Pandemic Economic RecoveryJustita Dura
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (East Java, Indonesia) are one of the businesses that drive developing nations' economies with various challenges, particularly in finance and digitalization. The impact of financial literacy and the use of digitalization can affect the recording and reporting of company performance. This is quantitative research, and the population in this research is SMEs in East Java, with 401 SMEs from various businesses for the sample used. This research uses the primary data method of SMEs in East Java with the Structural Equation Model as a data analysis tool. The results showed a significant relationship between financial literacy and financial performance, and digital literacy was based on financial performance. However, digital literacy could not moderate financial literacy with the financial performance of East Java SMEs. Much of the untapped potential in this study was adopted from financial governance and digitalization. It is hoped that the subsequent study will examine other phenomena on the variables used in the post-pandemic.
doi:10.17477/jcea.2022.21.2.047 PDF on KoreaScienceFinancial literacyDigital literacyFinancial performanceSMEsPandemic