Protected land as percentage of total land area: 7% partially protected

CO₂ emissions trend: 8.5 tonnes per capita

ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES

		Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Washington DC, 1973		yes
		Convention on Biological Diversity Earth Summit in Rio, 1992		yes
		1992 Amendment to protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer (amendment to Montreal Protocol) Copenhagen, 1992		yes
		Kyoto Convention on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Earth Summit in Kyoto, 1997		yes
		Basel convention on the dumping of hazardous wastes (Basel) Basel, 1989		yes
		Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) Ramsar, Iran 1971		yes

Environmental groups remain hostile to South Korea's nuclear power program. Rapid industrialization has resulted in environmental problems, especially pollution. The government only ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as late as November 2002. Steps have recently been taken to address the severe problem of air pollution in urban areas, particularly in Seoul. Rivers in rural areas have been polluted by fertilizers and chemicals.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004