Using a method suggested by Yanovskaya, we obtained Rayleigh wave group velocities with a resolution of 1.0o ×1.0o in a period range between 10 and 80 s in and around the Korean peninsula. Both regional and distant earthquake data sets were used together in analysis of group velocities. The resolution of the group velocity maps has been remarkably enhanced by the method, especially in the sparse/non-station region in the northern Korean peninsula. Some qualitative geophysical information was inferred from the group velocity maps. In the East Sea, the slow group velocities at periods longer than 40 s suggest the existence of an oceanic lithosphere at depths of 50-70 km, assuming 4 km/s of S wave velocity at a period of 40 s. On the other hand, a thick lithosphere can be inferred in the continental area from the fast group velocities at periods longer than 50 s. For most periods, the group velocities change rapidly over a short distance of about 200 km across the eastern coast of Korean peninsula, which may suggest a rapid change in the thickness of lithosphere in this area.

In order to select superior tree from Korea, five major phenolic compounds including (-)-epicatechin(EC), chlorogenic acid (ChA), hyperoside (HP), isoquercitrin (IQ), and procyanidin B2 (PC-B2) in hawthorn fruit were evaluated. We also compared these hawthorn fruits of five clones with Chinese hawthorn cultivars. HPLC with a diode-array detector was used to determine the contents of the individual compounds. Hawthorn fruits of five clones (selected from different area of Korea), and four Chinese hawthorn cultivars grown in the Korea Forest Research Institute (Suwon) were utilized. With their high functional components, Jungsun is the clone including the highest contents of EC (11.26 mg/g) and PC-B2 (24.46 mg/g). The clone of Chuncheon 15 had highest HP (0.53 mg/g) and IQ (0.41 mg/g). From the results, the clone of Jungsun and Chuncheon 15 can be evaluated to be selected breeding material for cultivar development.

New thornless cultivar of castor aralia(Kalopanax septemlobus Koidz.) was developed and selected in Cheongsong, Prov. of GyeongSangbuk-do during the period from 1994 to 1999 by Korea Forest Research Institute(KFRI). The new thornless cultivar, "Cheongsong II" is characterized by a thinner outer-bark and soft, wider leaves, and is particularly characterized by thornless stems. This cultivar has a thinner outer-bark(8.82mm) when compared with thorned type trees(13.95mm). It also has a larger leaves than does thorned type trees. Consequently, the new thornless cultivar, "Cheongsong II" is defined to have thinner bark and longer and wider leaves than do other thorned type trees. thorned type trees.