동북아 지역의 환경협력 구축을 위한 제안

Northeast Asia is one of the most economically dynamic regions in the world. With rapid economic development and urbanization. However this region has suffered severe environmental degradation in recent years. Transboundary air pollution, marine pollution, and other global and regional environmental problems associated with the rapid economic development, urbanization and industrialization pose serious threats to the well-being of people in this densely populated region. Thus, this paper explores challenges and cooperation strategies for ensuring a cleaner environment and sustainable development in this region. The paper begins with introduction of four variables that can help determine the shape of regional environmental cooperation: a discussion which includes the Environmental Kuznet Curve Hypothesis, Pollution Heaven Hypothesis, the implications of the Polluter Pays Principle and the Victim Pays Principle, and the gap between economic and environmental policy development. After examining these variables in the perspectives of Northeast Asia countries, the paper suggests some cooperative policy options. This successive approximation method consists of 4 steps of cooperation: issuing the public opinions, setting an action plan, reacting the changing situations, and establishing multilateral cooperation. Consequently, it is the environmental department that nowadays is close to formation of cooperative structure among various issues within the area.