Publication
[KORUM] Environmental Policies and International Cooperation in North Korea
North Korea has a rather complicated history when it comes to the implementation of environmental policies. While the country has pledged to battle climate change by signing multiple international agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, the actions have not always reflected the intended outcomes of the treaties. The country has repeatedly attempted to use climate change as a scapegoat for problems that were the result of poor domestic environmental policies, such as deforestation and improper agricultural policies.
Nonetheless, Dr. Bernhard Seliger argues that there is a possibility for International Organizations and NGOs to impact the environmental policies in North Korea. While political tensions have continued on the Korean Peninsula, the country has proved to be less hesitant in agreeing to cooperation for the sake of the environment. The article does admit that the actions of the North Korean environment ministry influencing firm behavior might be limited. Nonetheless, with the help of environmental cooperation in the future, there might actually be a potential for continuous interaction, regardless of political tensions that might arise.
