[Editorial] Kyoto Protocol Gains Strength

A United Nations climate change conference attended by 189 countries came to an end this weekend having added new life to the Kyoto Protocol, which had been made less effective by withdraw of the United States in 2001. Participating nations agreed on an "action plan" that includes the directions that will be taken on greenhouse gas reduction by 2012. Progress was made in areas that include the enforcement of Kyoto with among other things the creation of a supervisory committee.

The U.S. was a major obstacle at the meeting, saying it was not going to participate in negotiations about what happens after 2012. It deserves to be criticized for producing one fourth of the world's greenhouse gasses while avoiding responsibility. Progress is nevertheless being made on the Kyoto regime, with the formation of a carbon-trading market in many nations and an increase in investment in related technology. Within the U.S. as well, some states and companies are actively working to reduce greenhouse gasses.

The issue now becomes a very urgent one for Korea. According to the Protocol only 36 advanced nations are required to begin reductions, but the same will surely be required of Korea after 2012. That being the case the country needs to stop being noncommittal, work to develop the needed technology, and actively participate in further international negotiations. It should withdraw or distance itself from the Asia-Pacific "partnership" against climate change, which is supposed to bring together Australia, the U.S., China, India, Japan and Korea and is being pushed by the U.S. to counter Kyoto.

As can be seen in the weather changes resulting from global warming, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is important for the whole planet and is not something any nation is in a position to avoid. Korea needs to keep from being so careful about what the U.S. thinks that it misses out on both the moral and practical advantage on the issue, like it did when it sent troops to Iraq.

The Hankyoreh, 12 December 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]