Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06SEOUL398, MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, POLICIES, AND REGULATORY
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06SEOUL398.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06SEOUL398 | 2006-02-05 22:45 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Seoul |
VZCZCXYZ0007
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHUL #0398/01 0362245
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 052245Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5806
INFO RUEAEPA/EPA WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 2706
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0015
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0101
UNCLAS SEOUL 000398
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PASS USTR FOR CUTLER
STATE FOR OES/ETC, OES/ENV, OES/PCI
STATE ALSO FOR EB/TPP/BTA AND EAP/K
EPA FOR OIA
USDOC FOR 4431/ITA/MAC/OPB/EAP/MORGAN
WHITE HOUSE FOR CEQ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD KS
SUBJECT: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, POLICIES, AND REGULATORY
SYSTEMS IN KOREA
Summary
-------
¶1. Korea has made significant progress in addressing the
need for environmental protection since the early 1990's.
In preparation for upcoming trade negotiations, this report
provides background information on Korea's environmental
laws, policies and regulatory systems, and provides
indicators regarding the impact of these government
measures. The report covers the following topics:
-- Major Environmental Legislation;
-- Environmental Policies and Regulatory Systems;
-- Nature and Ecosystem Conservation;
-- Air Quality Management;
-- Water Quality Management;
-- Waste Management and Recycling;
-- Public Health Protection and Toxic Chemicals Control
-- Key Environmental Performance Indicators; and
-- Korea's Participation in International Environmental
Conventions.
End summary.
Major Environmental Legislation
-------------------------------
¶2. Most of the major environment-related laws currently in
effect have been adopted since the early 1990s. They have
been frequently amended over the past decade, in response to
newly arising domestic and international environmental
issues.
¶3. Currently, the Republic of Korea (ROK) has 38 principal
environmental statutes in effect, and more than 80 draft
bills on environmental issues are pending at the National
Assembly for approval as of year-end 2005. The vast
majority of the latter are draft amendments to existing laws
designed to cope with domestic environmental issues. Major
environmental acts in force are listed below:
-- Environmental Policy Framework Act of 1990
-- Natural Environment Conservation Act of 1991
-- Water Quality Conservation Act of 1990
-- Clean Air Conservation Act of 1990
-- Wastes Control Act of 1986
-- Noise and Vibration Control Act of 1990
-- Toxic Chemicals Control Act of 1990
-- Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and
Their Disposal Act of 1992
-- Natural Park Act of 1980
-- Sewerage Act of 1966
-- Environmental Dispute Adjustment Act of 1990
-- Drinking Water Management Act of 1995
-- Soil Environment Conservation Act of 1995
-- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act of 1999
-- Wetland Conservation Act of 1999
-- Foul Odor Prevention Act of 2004
-- Wildlife Protection Act of 2004
-- Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Act of
2004
-- Special Act on Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement of
2003
-- Indoor Air Quality Management Act of 2003
-- Environmental Improvement Expenses Liability Act of 1991
-- Disposal of Sewage, Excreta & Livestock Wastewater Act of
1991
-- Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources Act of
1992
-- Promotion of Construction Waste Recycling Act of 2003
¶4. Since becoming a member of the OECD in 1996, the ROKG
has adopted new legislation or revised existing statutes in
order to bring Korea up to OECD-level standards. Several of
the bills pending before the National Assembly or under
preparation have been crafted by the ROKG to create the
legal basis for implementation of multilateral environmental
treaties or agreements. They include a draft bill on Dioxin
and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). A draft bill
revising the Marine Pollution Prevention Act to address
marine pollution from both ships and land-based sources is
under review at the Ministry of Legislature.
Environmental Policies & Regulatory Systems
-------------------------------------------
¶5. As outlined in the 1997 OECD report on the
"Environmental Performance of Korea," Korea has worked to
address environmental problems neglected in the early
decades of its remarkable economic development.
Implementation of environmental policies is proceeding
progressively. Pollution abatement and control expenditures
have been holding steady at 1.5 percent of Korea's GDP. The
country is being equipped with environmental infrastructure,
and both regulatory and economic instruments are in use.
Local government plays an increasing role in implementing
environmental policies as envisioned in the "Local Agenda
21" program.
¶6. The Green Vision 21 Program (1995-2005) recognized the
considerable efforts needed to rehabilitate Korea's
environment, and provided an ambitious schedule for
reinforced environmental protection in an expected context
of high economic growth and pressures on the environment.
¶7. Korea's regulatory system is characterized by a
combination of generally-applicable rules and a "place-
based" approach where necessitated by intense development
pressures or a vulnerable environment. The main instruments
are emission/discharge permits, ambient environmental
standards, and the designation of zones where special
conditions apply. A formal enforcement program is in place,
with inspections, fines and indictments. A number of
standards and limits have been tightened gradually over
recent years.
¶8. The ROKG has been creative in adding an array of
economic instruments to its set of regulatory instruments.
These include: emission charges; environmental quality
improvement charges; traffic congestion charges; energy
taxes; a deposit-refund system, which was recently changed
into the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system; and
a waste management charge.
¶9. Korea has a tradition of strong central government.
Local government, however, spends 83 percent of overall
public environmental expenditures (including pollution
abatement and control expenditures), and recently greater
environmental decision-making power has been delegated to
the local level. This process is not yet functioning as
well as it should; local governments need to build up
expertise in implementing and enforcing environmental
protection measures to tackle, for example, compliance
problems involving smaller factories and enterprises.
¶10. Korean industry has benefited from the government's
export-oriented policies, including relatively lenient
environmental constraints, which are now gradually being
tightened. The more progressive exporting industries are
adopting environmental management systems and applying them
to their subsidiaries worldwide.
¶11. The two main strategic environmental policy documents,
the "Presidential Vision for Environmental Welfare" and
"Green Korea 2004," the annual publication of the Korean
Ministry of Environment (MOE), provide clear and ambitious
perspectives on a number of environmental objectives. Main
elements of environmental policies and regulatory systems
envisioned in the documents follow:
Nature Conservation
-------------------
¶12. Historically, the environmental statutes and regulatory
systems in Korea have focused primarily on water pollution,
air pollution, and waste management. A turning point away
from that traditional approach was the passage of two
important laws in early 1990s. One was the Nature
Environment Conservation Act (1991) and the other the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act, passed in 1993
and amended in 1997. As recommended by the OECD, Korea has
been implementing a mandatory EIA process for the nation's
major development projects in an effort to balance the
interests of development and environmental protection.
¶13. A key ROKG conservation initiative aims at the creation
of an eco-network on the Korean Peninsula, conserving the
notably biodiverse ecosystems of the Demilitarized Zone
(DMZ), the Baekdu mountain chain (down the spine of South
Korea), and various small islands and coastal regions.
Korea aims to conserve areas with outstanding ecosystems and
high biodiversity through designations of ecosystem
conservation areas, wetland protection areas, and specially-
designated islands. Currently, there are 22 ecosystem
conservation areas, 14 wetland protection areas, and 20
national parks.
¶14. A Master Plan for Biological Resources Conservation is
being established by MOE to strengthen wildlife protection
measures. It will include surveys of indigenous species and
controls on their export. The Wildlife Protection Act,
passed in 2004, takes effect in February 2005.
Air Quality Management
----------------------
¶15. Korea has been actively enforcing legally-binding
emission standards on six major air pollutants, including
carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone, and
particulate matter, in industrial complexes throughout the
country. The Special Act on Metropolitan Air Quality
Management (passed in December 2003, and effective as of
January 1, 2005) stipulates stricter emission standards. It
calls for the introduction of a "total air pollution load
management system," an emissions trading system, and tighter
vehicle emission controls.
¶16. Since February 2002, Korea has required the
installation of the telemonitoring system (TMS) on
smokestacks with high discharge volumes, and imposes charges
on those which exceed emission standards. As of January
2004, TMS has been installed in 1,841 stacks at 317
industrial sites.
¶17. To reduce pollution from vehicle exhaust, the ROKG has
set emission standards on newly-manufactured vehicles and in-
use vehicles. Starting in 2006, emission standards on newly-
manufactured gasoline and natural gas vehicles will be
strengthened to the level of ULEV (ultra low emission
vehicle), and diesel vehicles to the level of EURO-4.
¶18. The ROKG promotes the use of natural gas vehicles
(NGVs) to replace diesel-fueled buses. As of May 2004,
4,876 diesel vehicles had been replaced with NGVs and 20,000
diesel buses, which will account for 48 percent of the total
diesel buses nationwide, are to be replaced with NGVs by
¶2007.
Water Quality Management
------------------------
¶19. Korean government water management policies are focused
on conserving the water resources of the nation's four major
rivers - the Han, Nakdong, Geum, and Yeongsan Rivers, which
are drinking water sources for more than 40 million out of
Korea's total population of 48 million. Major policies
include the "total water pollution load management system,"
riparian buffer zones, land purchases to prevent water
pollution from non-point sources, and charges for water use.
¶20. In the field of industrial wastewater, the ROKG
established the Sector-based Environmental Action plan in
January 2004. Its contents include: allowable emission
standards, an increase in the number of controlled water
pollutants, introduction of testing and management of
biotoxins, and improvements in monitoring systems.
¶21. In March 2004, Korea also introduced a scheme to manage
water pollution from non-point sources, including livestock
waste. This set of measures reflects MOE's growing focus on
non-point source water pollution, shifting from point-source
pollution, which is being largely contained through the
increased use of sewage systems and water treatment
facilities.
Waste Management & Recycling
----------------------------
¶22. Korea implemented a comprehensive waste management
policy during the early 1990s, with ambitious targets for
disposal and recycling. Generation of household waste has
substantially declined after the inception of the Volume-
based Waste Fee System in 1995. The daily amount of waste
generation per capita has been reduced from 1.3 Kg in 1994
to 1.03 Kg in 2004. In 2002, for the first time, the rate
of recycling exceeded the rate of additions to landfills.
Between 1997 and 2004, the recycling rate of household waste
increased from 29.1 percent to 49.2 percent, while the rate
of landfills decreased from 63.83 percent to 36.4 percent.
¶23. Generation of industrial waste is growing more rapidly
than GDP. A growing number of incinerators are put into
operation each year, and many more are planned, to confront
an ever-increasing amount of hazardous waste. Transboundary
movement of waste is now carefully checked, pursuant to the
Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and
Their Disposal Act, which was passed in 1992.
¶24. In 2003, Korea introduced the Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) system, in place of the previous
Deposit-Refund System. The EPR system, which holds
producers responsible for meeting recycling targets, is
being successfully implemented and applies to more than 15
products, including glass bottles, packing film, fluorescent
light bulbs, electronics products like TVs, and computers.
Public Health Protection and Toxic Chemicals Control
--------------------------------------------- -------
¶25. Since Korea became an OECD member, the ROKG has
introduced an advanced management system for chemical
substances (as recommended by the OECD), including a risk
assessment system and a chemicals accident response system.
¶26. In 1999, the ROKG implemented the Toxic Release
Inventory (TRI), a system that requires companies to report
to the government the amount of chemicals released to the
environment during the process of production or use, as well
as the amount transferred to other places for the purpose of
recycling or disposal. Over the years, the range of
companies subject to the TRI system has been extended to 28
industries for companies with more than 50 employees. The
number of chemical substances subject to the TRI report
swelled to 240 in 2002, up from 80 in 1999.
¶27. Korea is participating in OECD programs related to
chemical substances such as the Screening Information Data
Set (SIDS) and the Chemical Product Policy (CPP), as well as
in other international efforts, including the Strategic
Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and
the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS).
Key Environmental Performance Indicators of Korea
--------------------------------------------- ----
¶28. Following are key environmental performance indicators
for 2004, with data for 1997 for comparison:
--------------------------------------------- -------------
Key Environmental Indicators 1997 2004
--------------------------------------------- -------------
Air Quality:
Level of Sulfur Dioxide (PPM, Seoul) 0.017 0.005
Level of Nitrogen Oxide (PPM, Seoul) 0.032 0.037
--------------------------------------------- -------------
Water Quality: (percent of Level II Quality and Better)
Water Quality 86 91
Han River Quality (BOD, PPM) 1.5 1.3
--------------------------------------------- -------------
Water Supply and Sanitation:
Water Supply Connection Rate 84.7 pct 90.1 pct
Sanitation Connection Rate 60.9 pct 81.4 pct
--------------------------------------------- -------------
Waste Management:
Per Capita Generation 1.05 Kg 1.03 kg
Household Waste Management
-- Landfill 63.8 pct 36.4 pct
-- Recycling 29.1 pct 49.2 pct
-- Incineration 7.1 pct 14.4 pct
Industrial Waste Management
-- Recycling 63.8 pc 81.2 pct
-- Incineration, landfill, and others 36.2 pc 18.8 pct
--------------------------------------------- -------------
Source: 2005 Environmental Annual Report to be published by
MOE in January 2006
Participation in International Environmental Conventions
--------------------------------------------- -----------
¶29. The ROKG is a member of the international environmental
conventions listed below. They are grouped into six areas,
including atmosphere and climate change, maritime affairs
and fisheries, hazardous waste management, nature and
species conservation, nuclear safety, and others. The first
date for each refers to the date Korea signed, and the
second refers to the date that the convention entered into
force with regard to Korea.
A) Atmosphere/Climate Change
----------------------------
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC)
December 14, 1993; March 21, 1994
- Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
February 27, 1992; May 27, 1992
- Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer
February 27, 1992; May 27, 1992
- The London Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
December 10, 1992; March 10, 1993
- The Copenhagen Amendment of the Montreal Protocol
December 2, 1994; March 2, 1995
- The Montreal Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
August 19, 1998; November 10, 1999
B) Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
---------------------------------
- International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
(ICRW)
December 29, 1978; December 29, 1978
- International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas (ICCAT)
August 28, 1970; August 28, 1970
- Convention of the Conservation of the Living Resources of
the Southeast Atlantic
January 19, 1981; February 19, 1981
- Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources (CCAMLR)
March 28, 1985; Mar.28, 1985
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
of the Sea by Oil, 1954 (as amended in 1962 and 1969)
July 31, 1978; October 31, 1978
- Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by
Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
December 21, 1993; January 20, 1994
- International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil
Pollution Damage (CLC)
December 18, 1978; March 18, 1979
- Protocol to the International Convention of Civil
Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969
December 8, 1992; March 8, 1993
- International Convention on the Establishment of an
International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution
Damage, 1971 (Fund Convention)
December 8, 1992; March 8, 1993
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
from Ships, 1973 as Modified by the Protocol of 1978
relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78)
July 23, 1984; October 23, 1984
- Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries
December 21, 1993; December 21, 1993
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
January 29, 1996; February 28, 1996
- Agreement Relating to the Implementation of the Part XI of
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10
December 1982
January 29, 1996; July 28, 1996
C) Waste Management
-------------------
- Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements
of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention)
February 28, 1994; May 29, 1994
D) Nature and Species Conservation
----------------------------------
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora
July 9, 1993; October 7, 1993
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Oct0ber 3, 1994; January 1, 1995
- Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (as amended in 1982 and
1987) (RAMSAR)
March 28, 1997; July 28, 1997
- International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
December 8, 1953; December 8, 1953
- Plant Protection Agreement for the South East Asia and
Pacific Region
November 4, 1981; November 4, 1981
- International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 (ITTA)
July 25, 1985; July 25, 1985
- International Tropical Timber Agreement 1994
September 12, 1995; January 1, 1997
E) Nuclear Safety
-----------------
- Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in
Outer Space and Underwater
July 24, 1964; July 24, 1964
- Convention of the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material
February 7, 1982; February 8, 1987
- Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident
(Notification Convention)
June 8, 1990; July 9, 1990
- Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident
or Radiological Emergency (Assistance Convention)
June 8, 1990; July 9, 1990
- Convention on Nuclear Safety
September 19, 1995; October 24, 1996
- Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of the
Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the
Sea Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof
June 25, 1987; June 25, 1987
F) Others
---------
- The Antarctic Treaty
November 28, 1986; November 28, 1986
- Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental
Protection
January 2, 1996; January 14, 1998
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in
Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and /or
Desertification, Particularly in Africa
August 17, 1999; November 15, 1999
- Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and
Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention)
September 14, 1988; December 14, 1988
- Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in
the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon
and Other Celestial Bodies
October 31, 1967; October 31, 1967
- Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any other
Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
December 2, 1986; December 2, 1986
- Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production and Stockpiling of the Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxic Weapons, and on their Destruction
June 25, 1987; June 25, 1987
For Additional Information
--------------------------
¶30. The websites of the Ministry of Environment (MOE) and
the Korea Environment Institute (KEI) have additional useful
information. There is a comprehensive study of the use of
Environmental Impact Assessments in Korea on the KEI
website, at www.kei.re.kr/04_publ/pdf/others/KEBP2004. A
comprehensive description of the policies in the "Green
Vision 21" is at the MOE English-language website, at
http://eng.me.go.kr.
VERSHBOW