북한 에너지자립마을 건설방안연구

Abstract

The Korean peninsula constitutes a single connected ecosystem, with the Southern and Northern parts not markedly different in terms of climate and exposure to environmental stresses. South Korea and North Korea, however, operate with radically different economic systems, which, coupled with the political situation on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia, have left North Korea much less able, on its own, adapt to environmental challenges, and in need of some assistance from South Korea and other international partners to be able to peacefully redevelop its economy and provide for its peoples’ basic needs as a first step toward a sustainable future. North Korea’s environmental and energy-sector needs are many. The North lacks access to technologies and know-how that it could use to better manage its environmental problems, which range from local deforestation, soil depletion, and water pollution, to ability to respond to floods, droughts, and other natural disasters. At the same time, its energy systems and economy must be redeveloped so that its people can live a better life. Programs of sincere, well-thought-out capacity building are needed in many sectors in the North, from environmental remediation to electric power systems, in order to provide North Koreans with the ability to help themselves. These programs also need to be of an appropriate scale to be practical, taking into account North Korea’s capacity to manage aid from South Korea and other international partners. A key starting point for such cooperative activities, providing benefits to local citizens and excellent demonstration value on the broader nation-to-nation scale, is in the area of rural environmental and economic development. The report provides a scoping study for a project with environmental, energy sector, and economic development benefits, and as such is a potential template for more and broader cooperative activities between the Korea. Ultimately, the cooperation linkages between South and North forged by projects such as the Energy-Independent Village venture outlined in this Report will form the cornerstone for Inter-Korean activities to respond to climate change, efficiently co-develop and share energy resources (including with neighboring nations), and implement sustainable economic development throughout the peninsula.