Green Growth – Ecological Modernization Korean-style?

The goal of this paper is to analyze the background and main policies of the Korean Green Growth Strategy and place them in the framework of ecological modernization (EM). Developed in the European context, EM aims at the integration of economic goals with ecological credentials through the use of technology. EM policies are initiated by government who are working cooperatively with business and other actors. South Korea has promoted Green Growth as an alternative low carbon economic growth strategy, more suitable for emerging economies than restrictive carbon reduction models such as the Kyoto Protocol. Green Growth promises a win-win situation for economic growth and environmental protection, placing the policies in the parameters of EM. The EM framework helps to deepen the understanding of the Green Growth strategy and its interpretation of ecology as well as democracy. Using Christoff’s distinction of weak and strong approaches to EM, the Korean scheme is identified as a weak approach, focusing on technological and state-led solutions with few signs of ecological restructuring. As such, it can be characterized as a greened version of the established growth-oriented economic paradigm rather than a substantial change towards an environmentally sustainable economy model. The current paradigm does not encourage participation by a wide variety of actors which would benefit democratic deepening in South Korea.