Case Study on Korea’s Green Growth Recovery WORLD BANK GROUP KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND South Korea’s remarkable recovery from war and poverty provides Why case studies with specific solutions for economic advancement, Korea? creation of employment opportunities, and sustainable infrastructure development that is highly relevant for any country planning to transform or rebuild its economy. Impact of War 1 Currently CIVILIAN CASUALTIES RANKING 3 Around 1 million people 12th DAMAGED INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS largest economy 44% in the world of the total industrial buildings GROSS NATIONAL INCOME (as of August 1951) PER CAPITA (2018) 2 DAMAGED ELECTRICITY US $33,564 GENERATION CAPACITY GROSS DOMESTIC 80% of the capacity PRODUCT (2018) 2 DEVASTATED SCHOOLS US $1.7 trillion 4,800 schools GROSS NATIONAL INCOME PER CAPITA (1953) 2 US $67 GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT 2 US $1.35 billion Source: Global Knowledge Exchange and Development Center (GKEDC), 2019 1953-1960 1961-1979 1980-1996 1997-PRESENT Post-war Korea faced varieties of hardships The government embarked on an ambitious Inflation and overcapacity created by the An extensive restructuring in the wake of and challenges — a weak industrial base, industrialization program as embodied in a state-led industrialization in the 1970s were the Asian financial crisis enabled Korea to dearth of natural resources, increasing series of Five-Year Economic Development gradually resolved with stabilization policies avoid sovereign default, overhaul institutions population, and political instability. Plans. The program relied on exchange in the early 1980s. The government pursued and practices in its economy, and grow into Foreign aid began to dwindle while rate reform, export subsidies, investment conservative fiscal and monetary policies one of the world’s richest countries. Various poverty remained widespread. in economic infrastructure, expansion of to stabilize prices and rationalize the overly efforts are now being made to meet the new schooling and training, and selective choice of expanded industries. Economic liberalization challenges in the 21st century. strategic industries in later years. gained speed in the 1990s. 2 KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND 3 Seoul’s The implementation of extensive development projects spurred demographic change across the city of Transformation Seoul, providing a quality living environment for its nearly 10 million residents. Over The Last 50 Years (1970-2020) 4 Rising through the destruction and turmoil POPULATION LIFE REGISTERED INFANT left by the Korean War, the city of Seoul has EXPECTANCY VEHICLES MORTALITY RATE transformed to a global megalopolis in only 50 years. Seoul underwent several phases 1945 1947 1958 1947 to overcome significant urban challenges 0.9 million 45 years 9,655 0.083% and become a model smart city full of urban development best practices. 1960 1970 1970 2015 5.4 million 62.2 years 60,442 0.003% Photo: Seoul Photo Archives 1992 2017 2020 (FEB) 10.1 million 82.7 years 3.1 million 1960S-1980s To accommodate increasing population and 2020 (FEB) address inadequate social infrastructure, 9.7 million the Seoul Metropolitan Government formulated urban development plans and implemented projects tailored to address 1980S-2000s the city’s urban challenges. Extensive urban development planning continued, and policies were put in place to beautify the city. Subsequently, Seoul’s infrastructure network flourished with quality transport, water and sewage systems. 2000-PRESENT Seoul adapted a software-centered approach to its urban management policy. The use of advanced information technology helped Seoul facilitate a sustainable city and improve the well-being of its residents and visitors. 4 KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND 5 CASE STUDY The area became the most overcrowded part Restoration was a visionary approach to remake Cheonggye-cheon of the city with 60,000 businesses, 200,000 downtown Seoul. After city leaders held over Restoration Project (CRP) shopkeepers and over 1 million people per day 1500 meetings with local stakeholders the passing through causing severe congestion expressway was removed and the river restored. Cheonggye-stream was once a symbol of the towns and pollution became an issue and serious and crime. The business district underneath the Now the river and pedestrian paths are a popular culture of the people of Seoul, a place where problem. In 1958 the decision was taken to cover expressway became synonymous with Seoul’s greenspace providing residents with a peaceful traditional celebrations were held, where women the stream for public safety and from 1968 to deterioration. For 40 years the covering of the reprieve from city life. The project represents a did their washing and where children played. 1978 an expressway was constructed over the Cheonggye-stream to ensure public safety led new model for cities and city dwellers and the start Over time the poor built settlements and shanty covered stream. to additional problems. The Cheonggye-stream of new evolution. Photo (Left and Center): Seoul Museum of History, University of Seoul University Seoul Museum of History, and Center): (Left Photo CHEONGGYE-CHEON CHEONGGYE-CHEON CHEONGGYE-CHEON 1960’s 1968 to 1978 Present MAJOR OUTCOMES PROJECT SPANNED IMPLEMENTED OVER TOTAL LABOR FORCE OF TOTAL COST DESIGN LAND ACQUISITION • Environment—average 700,000 $1.7 USD million $2.3 USD million daytime temperature in 5.8 km 1 year $305 USD million the area dropped for planning and Fully funded by Seoul Metropolitan CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT preparations • Economic vitalization Government (already owned most of the USD million USD million land used by the elevated highway redirected $294 $6.1 • Traffic—discouraged driving 2 years & and earmarked funds for maintenance of cars in the center, eased traffic ADMINISTRATION deteriorated elevated highways). flow, $1 public transport system 3 months USD million for construction $0.5 6 KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND 7 Overview of Korea’s Figure 2 Institutional Framework for Green Growth Green Growth Approach FRAMEWORK ACT ON LOW CARBON GREEN GROWTH PRESIDENT STRATEGY FOR GREEN GROWTH PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE ON GREEN GROWTH PLANNING COORDINATION, ASSESSMENT NATIONAL STRATEGY 5-YEAR PLAN FOR ANNUAL FOR GREEN GROWTH GREEN GROWTH ACTION PLAN LOCAL CENTRAL PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PARTNERSHIP GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT SECTOR Initiated by the necessity to adopt sustainable INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK practices, Korea underwent a development The Presidential Committee on Green Growth The Framework Act on Low Carbon Green The major provisions in the Framework Act include: paradigm shift from quantity to quality-oriented (PCCG) was established in 2009 to spearhead Growth was enacted in 2010. It provided the legal growth, and from fossil fuel-dependent to energy Korea’s Green Growth Transformation. Specifically, basis for implementing measures to effectively • The realization of the green economic system, independent growth and sustainability. Korea’s the PCCG developed and mandated the legal address climate change and energy issues, green technology and green industries. green growth was propelled by the establishment framework, strategic planning, and budget promote sustainable development, build the of key institutional arrangements that created an allocation for the National Strategy. implementation system for green growth (such • Policies on energy, sustainable development; enabling environment and laid the foundation for as the establishment of the Committee on Green the green life, the green homeland and the low- advancement through legislative, institutional and The Committee on Green Growth was instituted Growth), and revise a variety of institutional carbon traffic system. strategic frameworks. In 2008, Low Carbon, several years later in 2013 with the main function systems to promote low-carbon green growth in Green Growth was declared as a new vision and of deliberating matters concerning Green Growth. the region. • International negotiations and cooperation in Green New Deal for the nation for the next 60 The Committee was comprised of 38 people: relation to low carbon, green growth, including years, and the green growth action plan was 21 Private Experts and 17 ministers, Co-chairs: climate change. promoted thereafter. Prime Minister and one Private Expert and 4 Sub- Committees focused on: • Procurement of financial resources, taxation, Countries around the world are finding the Green financing, training of human resources, Growth model highly relevant. • Green Growth Strategy education, and public relations activities • Climate Response necessary for low carbon, green growth. • Green Technology and Industry • Energy 8 KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND KOREA GREEN GROWTH TRUST FUND 9 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK The government set a budget target to allocate 2% of GDP for Phase 1 (2009-2013) The National Strategy for Green Growth (2009- Definition of Green Growth: Total: 107.4 trillion KRW (98.1 billion USD (1/1/2013)) 5 2050), provides a comprehensive policy Growth that registers harmony between economy and environment framework towards green growth. Launched in that reduces climate change and 2009, the strategy aims to promote eco-friendly environmental damage by saving and Total ‘09 ‘10~’11 ‘12~’13 Growth Public Investment (trillion KRW) new growth engines, enhance people’s quality of efficiently using energy and resources 107.4 17.5 48.3 41.5 10.2% life,