Jae Wook Choi

Eun Min Park and Jae Wook Choi. J Environ Health Sci. 2026;52:472-81. https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2026.52.5.472

Heonkyeu Park, Jae Wook Choi, and Dong-Hyun Lee. J Environ Health Sci. 2026;52:427-36. https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2026.52.5.427

Public risk perception plays a critical role in shaping social responses to nuclear power plants (NPPs), particularly in host regions experiencing persistent conflict over safety, waste management, and institutional governance. The Wolsong NPP in South Korea represents a unique case, marked by long-standing opposition, policy disputes over spent fuel, and heightened health concern following the detection of radionuclides. Understanding how local residents perceive risk perception of radionuclides and how these perceptions translate into behavioral intentions such as migration, is critical for the Wolsong region. This study examines the demographic, psychological, and institutional determinants of risk perception of radionuclides and migration intentions among 1,342 residents living within a 5 km radius of the plant, using cross-sectional survey data analyzed via two sequential multivariable logistic regression models. Higher risk perception was associated with middle age, high school education, elevated anxiety, and, notably, greater recognition of the social benefits of nuclear power, while institutional trust and perceived policy transparency significantly reduced perceived risk. Migration intentions were reported by 13% of respondents and were more prevalent among younger residents, those with shorter residence duration, elevated stress levels, and higher risk perception. Conversely, institutional trust and perceived transparency substantially reduced migration intentions. These findings demonstrate that, in the context of Wolsong’s conflict, risk perception functions as a key mechanism linking psychosocial distress, institutional trust, and population stability. Strengthening transparent governance, institutional credibility, and locally responsive risk communication is essential for improving community resilience in nuclear host regions.

This study examined how multidimensional poverty—combining income deprivation and time poverty (working >52 paid hours per week)—is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and whether these associations vary after accounting for employment structure and behavioral risk factors. We conducted a pooled cross-sectional analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2013-2023), including 34 650 economically active adults aged ≥19 years. Sex-stratified hierarchical logistic regression models sequentially adjusted for employment type and behavioral risk factors. Among men, time poverty was associated with a higher probability of metabolic syndrome in partially adjusted models (+3.22 pp, P = .009), but this association attenuated after full adjustment (+1.86 pp, P = .125). Among women, dual poverty (+4.53 pp, P = .001) and income-poverty-only (+2.73 pp, P < .001) remained significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in fully adjusted models, whereas time poverty was attenuated (+2.79 pp, P = .065). Self-employment was independently associated with metabolic syndrome in both sexes ( P < .001). Associations between poverty type and metabolic syndrome differed by sex and varied across levels of adjustment. The findings indicate that employment structure and behavioral factors are important in interpreting observed associations between multidimensional poverty and metabolic risk.

Objective: This study explores factors influencing the occupational safety and health (OSH) level of subcontractor workplaces in the electronics industry, where small-scale operations and chemical use are common. Methods: A survey was conducted with 852 OSH managers from subcontractor firms. Three key domains were analyzed: OSH management framework, chemical risk management, and principal contractor support. Binomial logistic regression identified significant variables. Results: Factors such as appointing OSH managers, establishing procedures, providing worker information, and operating safety committees improved OSH levels. Chemical-related training, risk assessment, and control also contributed. Support from principal contractors through communication and consulting was effective. Conclusions: Strengthening internal OSH systems, improving chemical management, and enhancing collaboration with principal contractors are essential for advancing OSH in subcontractor workplaces in the electronics industry.

Supplementary Table S5 shows standardized incidence ratios of cancers in relation to proximity to the Wolsong nuclear power plant, stratified by sex.

Supplementary Table S6 shows standardized prevalence ratios of cancers in relation to proximity to the Wolsong nuclear power plant, stratified by sex.

Supplementary Table S4 shows standardized prevalence ratios of cancers with five or more prevalent cases in each distant stratum in relation to proximity to the Wolsong nuclear power plant, after combining Regions I and II.

Supplementary Table S9 shows standardized incidence ratios of cancers with five or more incident cases in each distant stratum in relation to proximity to the Wolsong nuclear power plant, using national cancer incidence rates.