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The relation between water pollution and economic growth using the environmental Kuznets curve: a case study in South Korea

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  • Jaesung Choi
  • Robert Hearne
  • Kihoon Lee
  • David Roberts

Abstract

The relation between economic growth and two key water quality indicators is assessed for South Korea's four principal rivers. The growth of the national economy accompanied a shift in environmental and industrial policy that fostered improved water quality. The relations between biochemical oxygen demand and GDP in the Geum and Nakdong Rivers and between chemical oxygen demand and GDP in the Yeongsan and Nakdong Rivers support the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. In general, the turning point for improved water quality occurred at later economic development stages for industrial pollution than for biological pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaesung Choi & Robert Hearne & Kihoon Lee & David Roberts, 2015. "The relation between water pollution and economic growth using the environmental Kuznets curve: a case study in South Korea," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(3), pages 499-512, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rwinxx:v:40:y:2015:i:3:p:499-512
    DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2015.1036387
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    Cited by:

    1. Sang-hyeon Jin, 2024. "Are South Korea’s Environmental Policies Rational? An Analysis Focusing on Fine Dust Programs in the Seoul Metropolitan Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-14, July.
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    3. Na Wang & Yongrok Choi, 2019. "Challenges for Sustainable Water Use in the Urban Industry of Korea Based on the Global Non-Radial Directional Distance Function Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Lei Liu & Tong Wu & Zhihang Xu & Xiaofeng Pan, 2018. "The Water-Economy Nexus and Sustainable Transition of the Pearl River Delta, China (1999–2015)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Mengxue Ji & Zhenming Wu & Dandan Zhu, 2023. "Environmental Vertical Management and Enterprises’ Performance: Evidence from Water Pollution Reduction in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-17, September.
    6. Erik Hille & Bernhard Lambernd & Aviral K. Tiwari, 2021. "Any Signs of Green Growth? A Spatial Panel Analysis of Regional Air Pollution in South Korea," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 80(4), pages 719-760, December.
    7. Roobavannan, M. & Kandasamy, J. & Pande, S. & Vigneswaran, S. & Sivapalan, M., 2017. "Allocating Environmental Water and Impact on Basin Unemployment: Role of A Diversified Economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 178-188.

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