The Shaping of Environmental Health Policy in South Korea in the Early 2000s and the Impact of the Abandoned Mine Investigation in Goseong

In the early stages of Korean environmental policy, the focus was primarily on man-aging water, air, and soil, with health issues largely overlooked. However, by the early 2000s, growing awareness of risks from environmental hormones and hazard-ous chemicals, coupled with increased interest in healthy lifestyles, led to a signifi-cant shift in the Ministry of Environment’s approach. This shift resulted in the ex-pansion of the chemicals department and the creation of a division dedicated to en-vironmental health. A pivotal moment occurred in June 2004, when health concerns from an abandoned mine in Goseong prompted a joint investigation by the govern-ment and civil society. This investigation highlighted the need for health-centered environmental policies and set the stage for nationwide mine surveys and the Envi-ronmental Health Act. This paper examines the significance of the Byeongsan Vil-lage investigation in shaping South Korea’s environmental health policy in the early 2000s. By analyzing this case, which marked a shift in societal focus toward mineral pollution, this paper explores the broader implications of the move towards health-centered environmental policy and its impact on the institutionalization of environ-mental health agenda.