Principles

Korea's overarching environmental goals of this century are to create a Symbiotic Community of All Living Organisms and to realize sustainable development. These goals will build up on the principle of precautionary, integrated, and demand-side management. Whereas end-of-pipe treatment methods prevailed in the past, the focus is now on reusing resources and minimizing pollution. The government will improve environmental impact assessment and prior environmental evaluation systems to ensure that development projects do not adversely affect the environment.

Coupled with these preventive initiatives, integrated and demand-side management will frame the future of Korea's environment. Most existing policies focused on differentiated management of each environmental medium such as air, water and solid waste. Now, holistic management that addresses sectoral environmental issues by industry, agriculture, transportation, etc. are being promoted along with cross-sectoral voluntary agreements. Moreover, Korea shifted from supply-side to demand-side management to enhance resource use efficiency. In contrast to supply-side strategies, which increase energy supplies through the construction of new power plants for example, demand-side management aims at maximizing the use of existing resources and promotes change in consumer consumption habits.



Eco-2 Project

In order to realize a Symbiotic Community of All Living Organisms and sustainable development, Korea developed three broad policy areas: Eco-2 project, public involvement, and international cooperation. A derivative of the terms "Ecology" and "Economy," the Eco-2 Project builds upon the recognition that environmental preservation and economic growth are complementary. The project seeks to achieve Symbiosis between Environment and Economy through the development of clean technology and industry and the integration of environmental and economic policies.

Environmental technology development is one of the main components of the Eco-2 Project. In 2000, the market for environmental technology (ET) industry was estimated at US$8 billion in Korea and US$528 billion in the world. Through 2005, the domestic ET market is projected to grow by about 15 percent annually, while the world's market expands by about 6 percent. Starting in 2001, Korea has been implementing the 10-year Eco-Technopia 21 project for the development of cutting-edge technologies. With the investment fund of US$830 million, the project supports over 23 different areas in four key technology development areas - integrated environmental management, ecosystem preservation and restoration, pollution prevention, and global environment.

Environmentally friendly business management is another principal component of the Eco-2 Project. The government recognizes companies that practice prevention-oriented management as environmentally friendly and helps promote their positive image. As of August 2002, 131 companies have been issued a certificate for outstanding management. These companies are linked through the Nationwide Environment Network (www.ef21.co.kr) in which they exchange information and provide technical assistance and consultation services to small- to medium-sized enterprises.

The government also introduced the Eco-Labeling System in 1992 to facilitate "green production and consumption." As of 2002, it applies to 403 products (138 percent increase from 169 in 2000). In May 2002, the Environmental Marking Index was drafted and applied to five product categories, including refrigerators, in which numerical quantification of the amount of resources used in the product's entire lifespan and its pollution emissions and impact on the environment are labelled on the product. Starting in January 2002, the Environmentally Friendly Building Certification is being issued jointly by the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Construction and Transportation.



Public Involvement

In moving ahead in the new environmental direction, active cooperation and participation of local governments, residents and environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are critical. Especially in policy-making processes, citizen action should be integrated from planning stages to ensure transparency and effectiveness. The government plans to promote extensive public-private cooperation through consultative bodies like the Presidential Commission on Sustainable Development (established in September 2000) and the Korean Council for Local Agenda 21 (established in June 2000). Moreover, open environmental administration will be sustained by creating broader channels for information dissemination and by addressing public concerns through the internet.



International Cooperation

The new environmental framework also encompasses vigorous international cooperation. Most environmental issues are transboundary in scope and domestic efforts alone will not be sufficient to combat towering challenges like desertification and global warming. Korea will implement policies consistent with the global environmental priorities in due consideration for its development needs.

Korea joined a total of 44 environmental international conventions and agreements to this date, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The government follows up on each convention with research and development, collaboration with the private sector and by amending relevant laws. Korea is currently in the process of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gases and is formulating post World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) domestic action plans.

Held in August-September 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, the WSSD reaffirmed the importance of sustainable development and developed concrete action plans for its realization. Korea established the Presidential Commission on Sustainable Development (PCSD) in September 2000 to help integrate the concept of sustainable development in the general workings of society, including in policymaking. PCSD works closely with the Ministry of Environment to build necessary legal and institutional framework and to raise public awareness on sustainable development.

The private sector also participated widely in sustainable development efforts through various NGO associations such as the Korea Business Council on Sustainable Development and the Korea People's Network on Rio+10. By presenting different needs and perspectives, these interest groups enable the government to devise optimal policies and better coordinate Korea's position in intricate international negotiations.

Regional cooperation, particularly with North Korea, is also high on agenda. Recognizing the importance of environmental cooperation in maintaining healthy peninsular ecosystems as well as the contribution it can make to the unification process, Korea is poised to undertake joint environmental preservation projects. Right now, it is carrying out studies on the Demilitarized Zone to devise an ecological blue print for the entire country as well as to preserve DMZ's flourishing ecosystems. On a multilateral level, Korea embarked on the Duman-gang (Tumen) River watershed environmental protection project in collaboration with North Korea, China, Russia and Mongolia in August 2000. Tumen NET seeks to protect water resources and the biodiversity of the Dumangang River Area through Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Programme.

Korea also spearheads the annual Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM) Among Korea, China and Japan. First hosted in Seoul in 1999, TEMM has sealed its position as the highest-level venue for environmental discussions in Northeast Asia. Currently nine projects are underway in the areas of: Raising Consciousness of the Environmental Community, Freshwater Pollution Prevention, Environmental Industry Cooperation, Ecological Conservation in Northwest China, and Mitigating Transboundary Air Pollutants. Under the TEMM framework, Korea, China and Japan considerably boost their environmental cooperation and make tangible contributions to the regional environment, working to limit the dust storms that hit Northeast Asia every spring.