Promoting Public Participation and Environmental Education in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

The industrialization in the Republic of Korea began only in early 1960's. The economic development has been based mainly on the export-oriented heavy-chemical industries. The development has been quite successful. But at the same time it brought severe environmental pollution problems, especially in industrial areas. There have been continual disputes between industrial firms and inhabitants over damages on agricultural and fishery products and on human health. In some areas it was hard to find solution so that the disputes ended up as removing the whole population from the problem areas such as in Ulsan, Onsan, and Yeocheon. Tens of thousand natives had to give up their hometown and occupation, which caused a serious social problem. The Government began to realize the seriousness of the environmental problems, and the Office of Environment was established in 1980 which was raised to the Ministry of Environment in 1990. However, the quality of the environment has not been improved much in spite of the Governmental intervention. It is probably because the Governmental policies have not been strong enough to keep up with the rapid industrialization while the public were not allowed to protest against or participate in governmental policies until democratization in 1987.