Exploring success factors of Joint Korea–Netherlands Aerial Photo Project

Abstract

Until the early 1960s, Korea had no useful maps and adequate technical capacity to produce maps. This problem was overcome through the Joint Korea–Netherlands Aerial Photo Project (JKNP), and the outcome of JKNP became the basis of establishing Korea’s mapping system. Therefore, JKNP can be evaluated as successful. In this regard, this study derived the following success factors of JKNP: First, JKNP was implemented in a clear and direct demand-oriented manner. Second, the environment in which the JKNP implementation system could be well established and operated vertically and horizontally was created. Third, national technical capacity to produce maps independently was secured. Fourth, the national implementation system for future sustainable map production was established. JKNP helped to produce aerial photographs and topographic maps, which were used to implement various economic development projects. From the perspective of JKNP, all four factors contributed to a successful achievement of the objectives of JKNP. From a national perspective, the latter two factors became a basis for the establishment of a future mapping system and the emergence of the surveying industry. This helps to understand what should be emphasized to establish a sustainable development system in future. In particular, it has many implications for countries that do not have a geospatial information organization system.