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Special Lecture
Global Challenges in North Korea

Climate change is an omnipresent, global problem and therefore one of the crucial issues of the century, the effects of which even North Korea cannot protect itself from. In order to raise awareness in this context, SNU Law School has invited Dr. Bernhard Seliger to give a zoom lecture on the current situation in North Korea as part of the Juris Doctorate Program.

The lecture of Dr. Seliger focused on how the effects of climate change are reflected in North Korea, which possible indicators intensify the effects and which projects have been undertaken by HSF Korea over the years to counteract them.

The consequences of climate change are currently making themselves very noticeable in North Korea in the form of drought and flooding. This vulnerability to natural disasters stems in large part from the excessive deforestation of national forest areas, especially between 1990 and 2015. The 2015 floods in Sonbong were therefore cited as a deepening example, and North Korea's lack of a strategy for sustainable reconstruction. The historical development of energy production towards hydroelectric power was also explained, as well as the assessment of pollution involvement and the lack of commitment in international climate policy.

In closing Dr. Seliger explained the different projects of HSF Korea to mitigate climate change by reforestation in North Korea, which have been carried out over the years, such as the reforestation in Sangseo-Ri as well as the Anbyon willow tree projects and further projects or seminars for consulting and training in the field of forestry and renewable energies.

Concerning the financial support Dr. Seliger presented the experiences of HSF Korea with the Green Climate Fund, which include possibilities on how North Korea could be integrated into it, as well as the related difficulties due to the politicization of climate change.

 

 

 

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