Seoul gives over $4 million to first environmental project between two Koreas

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Republic of Korea today agreed to set up a Trust Fund that addresses key environmental issues in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Seoul will contribute $4.4 million for the project, which UNEP said was the first venture of its kind on the environment between the two Koreas aiming to tackle forest depletion, declining water quality, air pollution, land degradation and biodiversity in the DPRK.

It will also support eco-housing initiatives as well as conservation and management of the Taedong watershed, environmental education, integrated environmental monitoring system, clean development mechanism and renewable energy technology, UNEP said.

“This multilateral cooperation with UNEP is of great significance for both South and North Korea and a huge step forward in addressing pressing environmental issues in DPR Korea,” said Lee Kyoo-Yong, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea.

“This agreement will build on the momentum that the DPRK has begun,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. “It will also go a long way in strengthening the spirit of cooperation between the two countries.”