Korea 2001

2001 National Report for Korea

Spatial Matadata Standard in Korea

 

Heungmuk Cho

National Geography Institute, Geographic Information Division

111 Wonchon-dong, Paltal-gu, Suwon-shi, 442-380 Korea

Tel: +82-31-210-2730  /  Fax: +82-31-210-2743

         Email: hmcho@moct.go.kr

  1. Activities on developing spatial data standards

 

The first stage implementation of the National Geographic Information System (NGIS) master plan was completed during the period from 1995 to 2000.  Among 11 ministries in Korea, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation (MOCT) played a leading role and was chairing the steering committee of NGIS master plan.  Under the umbrella of the steering committee, there were 5 subcommittees (administrative, geographic information, GIS technology, GIS standards and cadastral information) and an advisory board.

The GIS standards subcommittee was responsible for defining spatial information standards. During the course of this work, the spatial information standards established by GIS standards subcommittee took account of ISO standards, keeping pace with the international community

In the first stage of the NGIS master plan, the standards for spatial information were driven in two different areas.

  1. Spatial data production

The National Geography Institute (NGI) played a key role in defining the standards in spatial information production. A total of ten of standards were established in this area including national base map, underground utility map and thematic map.

  1. Spatial data distribution/application
    Two standards were established in this area such as a temporary metadata standard and a data exchange standard (SDTS). These standards aimed at exchanging and searching the geospatial data produced by many different organizations and agencies.

For the second stage of the NGIS plan starting in 2001, the strategy and plan on national standards are being arranged to cope with recent technology development, as well as to meet the wide range of customers’ requirements. The 2nd NGIS plan will be ended in 2005. The main objective of the 2nd stage is fully support GIS data utilization.

The key projects are:

– Implement geocentric datum

– Establish national framework database

– Develop public utility management system

– Establish spatial data clearing house

– Develop GIS-related technologies

– Promote and support GIS industries

– Standardize spatial data exchange

– Education & training manpower

  1. Activities on developing spatial metadata standards

Spatial metadata standards have been under investigation in parallel with the development of ISO 19115.  Given the fact that ISO 19115 will not be finalized until 2001, a temporary metadata standard (TTA.KO-10.0098: National Geographic Information System Metadata Interim-Standard) based on the draft ISO standard was prepared in 1998 to distribute and exchange the existing geospatial information until the completion of ISO 19115.

  1. National Geographic Information System Metadata Interim Standard

The NGIS Metadata Interim Standard is developed by the GIS Standard Subcommittee under the Steering Committee of NGIS.  As mentioned in above, metadata standard was based on the ISO/TC211 15046-15 Metadata (draft)  version 4.4  (then nowadays known as ISO 19115).

This NGIS metadata standard defines the schema required for describing geographic information and services. It provides information about the identification, the extent, the quality, the spatial and temporal schema, spatial reference, and distribution of digital geographic data. This standard is applicable to the cataloguing of datasets, clearinghouse activities, and the full description datasets.

  1. Review of NGIS Metadata Interim Standard

Since being published in 1999, some inconsistencies and deficiencies has been identified in the NGIS Metadata Standard and the ISO/TC211 metadata standard had changes almost. Therefore, in December 1999, the National Geography Institute(NGI) initiated a review of the NGIS Matadata Standard and developed a new metadata standard base on the international metadata standard ISO/TC211 19115.3.

The new metadata standard of NGI is almost compliant with the 3rd CD of ISO 19115.  The NGI is responsible for the establishment of national geographic database and management digital mapping. And then NGI will be issued the new NGI metadata standard as NGIS Metadata Standard through the Geographic Information Subcommittee of NGIS.  The NGIS Metadata Interim Standard will be superseded by the new NGI metadata standard in 2001.

Presently a profile for specific fields will be developed based on the NGI metadata standard.  After ISO 19115 is issued as an International Standard, the NGI metadata standard will be revised to conform with

Contact:  Heungmuk Cho

© Copyright, ICA Standards Commission, 2001