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Analysis of Changes in Keywords related to Seoul Tap Water using Text Mining

Academic Society for Appropriate Technology 2025
Min-Jeong Kim, Seung Woon Paik, Ahjeong Son, Senator Jeong

Summary

Researchers analyzed changes in public discourse around Seoul tap water from 1990 to 2024 by applying text mining techniques to 9,861 newspaper articles, using frequency and sentiment analysis to track keyword evolution over time. The study found that dominant concerns shifted from pricing and infrastructure in the 1990s toward water quality issues — including microplastics and contaminants — in more recent decades, reflecting evolving public risk perceptions.

This study analyzes changes in keywords related to Seoul tap water using text mining techniques. A total of 9,861 newspaper articles from 1990 to 2024 were collected and analyzed through frequency and sentiment analysis. The frequency analysis revealed that in the 1990s, keywords such as “water rates,” “water quality,” and “environment” were prominent. In the 2000s, keywords related to “Arisu,” “water purifiers,” and “inspection” increased. The 2010s highlighted environmental concerns such as “algae,” “green tide,” and “pipe freeze,” while the 2020s saw an increase in keywords like “larvae,” “microplastics,” and “smart” systems. Sentiment analysis indicated that while negative sentiment dominated in the 1990s, positive sentiment steadily increased after the 2000s, reaching 76.6% in the 2020s. Articles containing the keyword “Arisu” showed a stronger emphasis on promotion and brand image management, displaying a more positive sentiment compared to general tap water-related articles. This study provides valuable insights into the evolution of public discourse on Seoul’s tap water, offering implications for future water policies and public relations strategies.

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