ID: 67
Presenting Author: YoungJoon Rhee
Status: pending
Presents South Korea’s EIA litigation framework and the Korea Environment Institute’s role in providing scientific expertise to support evidence-based environmental decisions.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) litigation in South Korea has become an increasingly important mechanism for balancing development priorities with environmental protection. In recent years, Korean courts have placed greater emphasis on the scientific validity of EIA data, analytical methods, and procedural transparency. This trend has reinforced the need for collaboration between legal authorities, administrative bodies, and scientific research organizations.
Among these, the Korea Environment Institute (KEI) plays a central role. KEI is a nationally funded policy research institute, operating within the network of government-supported think tanks in South Korea. While maintaining research independence, KEI provides scientific analysis and expert advice to ministries, local governments, and courts in the process of EIA evaluation and dispute resolution.
This presentation introduces the institutional structure that enables scientific input in EIA litigation and explains KEI’s role in supporting evidence-based decision-making. It outlines how legal, administrative, and scientific actors interact within the EIA system and how technical expertise contributes to conflict prevention and resolution. The presentation aims to share the South Korean experience as an example of integrating scientific assessment into environmental governance, offering insights for countries seeking to strengthen cooperation between science and law in their EIA systems.
Dr. Young Joon Rhee is a researcher at the Korea Environment Institute focusing on environmental impact assessment, waste management, and scientific support in policy processes.