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

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.