남북한의 환경문제와 교류협력에 관한 연구

A Study on Environmental Problems of South and North Korea Cooperation between the Two Countries

As the concern with the creation of environmental problems and regulations about them becomes internationally growing, environmental cooperations with countries concerned are emerging as the first item on the political agenda. In case of South Korea, cooperations with countries in the Asian region is needed urgently. In particular, cooperations with North Korea will be an important factor to reunify the Korean peninsula as well as to solve environmental problems in South Korea. Accordingly, it is necessary to seek feasible alternatives and possibilities of coping with international environment in South and North Korea. This study is limited to literature study based on collecting materials and the testimony of former residents in North Korea. The period of study ranges from May to December in 1992. The research findings show the following environmental problems and alternatives : It is recognized in South Korea that the creation of environmental problems is product of economic development. Currently, the Korean government makes an effort to revise environmental administration and law, to encourage environmental education, and to proceed with environmental technology policies by establishing environmental policies together with economic development plans. North Korea ascribes the cause of environmental problems to colonial exploitation by Japan and the U.S. Environmental pollutants in North Korea is relatively less than South Korea, provisions such as environmental conservation movement, environmental education, and environmental administration and law are not well organized in the country. However, North korea will speed up its economic development to solve economic crises. Therefore, it is expected that industrial wastes, corrosion of nature, and water pollution will result in serious environmental problems. The fields expected to cooperate with South and North Korea are in the following : South Korea may adopt the model of the former East and West Germany and proceed to cooperate with North Korea in public sector as well as private sector. The possible programs are such as academic exchange to conserve environment, joint research in the area of the Demilitarized Zone, conservation of ecosystems around Imjin and Pukhan Rivers, South Korea's support of advanced environmental technology and industrial and financial aid to North Korea. Conflicts between countries concerned in the North East Asian region will be caused by the responsibilities of pollutions because of the seashore development of the Yellow Sea by South Korea and increasing seashore industrial complexes around the Yellow Sea in China, Therefore, it is desirable that the two countries will participate in organizations related to environment. Joint projects between South and North Korea will be as follows : 1. Construction of long-range monitoring system : 2. Investigation of the state of pollutions around the Yellow Sea and alternatives : 3. Construction of joint monitoring system to regulate the movement of pollutants : 4. Cooperation of environmental technology and exchange of information ; and 5. Support of Cooperation of environment in private sector. Efforts to cooperate with North korea is expected to overcome differences between the two countries as well as to encourage unification of the korean peninsula, which will lead to reducing the cost of environmental recovery. These efforts will also contribute to the maintenance for peace and stability on the korean peninsula as well as in the North East Asian region.