In that event, Korea, which is avoiding the obligation to reduce greenhouse gases by being classified as a “developing country,” couldn’t help but face pressure to be included as a nation that must reduce its emissions. As the world’s 9th largest emitter, 11th largest GDP, 12th largest global trader and an OECD member, Korea cannot count on a reduction exemption forever. The common forecast it that Korea would be included in the list of obligatory emission reducers by around 2013.

If this were to happen, our economy would take a serious hit. Developed nations must reduce their emission by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012. Korea, however, has seen its emissions increase 92.7 percent between 1990 and 2001, from 226.20 million tons to 435.80 million tons. That was the highest rate of increase in the OECD. This is because our industries are highly energy dependent and the government’s energy conservation policies have not been successful. Much pain would follow if we were to reduce our reckless energy consumption. Energy prices would immediately rise. The competitiveness of industries like steel and petrochemicals, which emit a lot of greenhouse gas, would suffer.

The nations of the world have pushed comprehensive countermeasures to deal with the shocks caused by the Kyoto Protocol. Even Korea created in 2001 a body known as the Climate Change Agreement Countermeasures Committee, headed by the prime minister, in which all the relevant ministers participate. The committee has not met since March 2002, however. We cannot even conceive of asking this administration, which is caught up with issues related to Korea’s past history, to show some concern for issues that may arise 10 or 20 years from now.