Asasaasa
The Eurasia Center
1800 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20009 www.eurasiacenter.org Email: Eurasiacenter1@cs.com
South Korea: Environmental Overview
Push for a Cleaner Future:
South Korea’s rapid industrialization led to tremendous wealth for the country. However, development has also led to an increase in pollution, and in 2001, South Korea was in the top ten in terms of carbon emissions.[1] Determined to turn this trend around, South Korea has launched a new framework for handling environmental issues—the National Vision for Environmental Policies in the 21st Century. As the 21st century progresses, South Korea will continue its effort to pursue a more environmentally sustainable development strategy.
Demographics:
▪ South Korea boasts a largely homogenous population of 48,836,823.[2]
▪ 46% of the population have no religious affiliations, while Christians and Buddhists each account for 26%.[3]
▪ The majority of the population (80%) resides in towns and cities, yet a significant rural population (20%) remains.[4]
▪ Life expectancy at birth is 73.61 years for males and 80.75 for females. Population growth rate is 0.42%.[5]
▪ Moreover, the age composition of the population is as follows: 0-14 years: 18.9%, 15-64 years: 71.9%, and 65 years and over: 9.2%.[6]
▪ In 2003, South Korea spent 5.6% of its GDP on health. Its total health expenditure per capita was $1,074.[7]
Education
▪ The South Korean education system is composed of both public and private schools, with total governmental spending on education amounting to 4.6% of GDP.[8]
▪ Korean education consists of six years at the primary level and six years at the secondary level. Nine years of schooling is compulsory.
▪ The number of students pursuing degrees is increasing rapidly. In 2004, the gross enrollment ratio in tertiary level education was 88.5%, a 14% increase from 2000.[9]
Geography/Natural Resources:
▪ Located in East Asia, South Korea is on the southern
1800 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20009 www.eurasiacenter.org Email: Eurasiacenter1@cs.com
South Korea: Environmental Overview
Push for a Cleaner Future:
South Korea’s rapid industrialization led to tremendous wealth for the country. However, development has also led to an increase in pollution, and in 2001, South Korea was in the top ten in terms of carbon emissions.[1] Determined to turn this trend around, South Korea has launched a new framework for handling environmental issues—the National Vision for Environmental Policies in the 21st Century. As the 21st century progresses, South Korea will continue its effort to pursue a more environmentally sustainable development strategy.
Demographics:
▪ South Korea boasts a largely homogenous population of 48,836,823.[2]
▪ 46% of the population have no religious affiliations, while Christians and Buddhists each account for 26%.[3]
▪ The majority of the population (80%) resides in towns and cities, yet a significant rural population (20%) remains.[4]
▪ Life expectancy at birth is 73.61 years for males and 80.75 for females. Population growth rate is 0.42%.[5]
▪ Moreover, the age composition of the population is as follows: 0-14 years: 18.9%, 15-64 years: 71.9%, and 65 years and over: 9.2%.[6]
▪ In 2003, South Korea spent 5.6% of its GDP on health. Its total health expenditure per capita was $1,074.[7]
Education
▪ The South Korean education system is composed of both public and private schools, with total governmental spending on education amounting to 4.6% of GDP.[8]
▪ Korean education consists of six years at the primary level and six years at the secondary level. Nine years of schooling is compulsory.
▪ The number of students pursuing degrees is increasing rapidly. In 2004, the gross enrollment ratio in tertiary level education was 88.5%, a 14% increase from 2000.[9]
Geography/Natural Resources:
▪ Located in East Asia, South Korea is on the southern