Publication
[MIDAS] Korean Peninsula Carbon Emission Trading Consortium

In this article, Dr. Seliger mentioned the importance of the 'Green Détente' devised by the Korea Institute for National Unification during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations, in addition to the questions about the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's 'bold initiative' and the problems of implementation. DPRK is actively engaged in “green” activities in various international forums, such as nature conservation, agriculture, and climate change. For example, with the help of foreign partners such as the Hanns Seidel Foundation, DPRK became a member of the Ramsar Convention for the Conservation of Wetlands in 2017 and the EAAFP for the Conservation of Migratory Birds in 2018. Although the possibility of environmental cooperation has increased due to DPRK's active movement, there are difficulties such as blocking the sale of carbon credits due to sanctions against the DPRK. This does not mean that carbon cooperation is not possible.

ROK boasts a large scale and technological prowess in the emission trading system following the European Union, and if DPRK reopens the door of cooperation, project developers will be able to raise money by selling carbon credits to ROK through businesses and global companies. Such funds can support their own projects in the energy and environment sectors. With improvements in the field, workers' wages or specific economic advantages will arise. This requires international political consultation, and most importantly, how to reduce the DPRK regime's involvement in external capital. The ROK government must lay the groundwork for a “bipartisan” policy toward DPRK, and it is necessary to implement a sustainable and stable North Korean policy even if the regime changes after the new elections.

For more information, visit the MIDAS magazine website to read the full article in the Korean language.