2.1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
In Korea, EIA has experienced many changes over the years since
its inception in 1977. The Framework Act on Environmental Policy in
1990 placed EIA at the forefront of environmental policy. In 1993, the
Environmental Assessment Act was legislated solely for EIA. In 1999,
the Act on Assessment of Impacts of Works on Environment, Traffic,
Disasters, etc was legislated by incorporating impact assessment regulations
on the environment, traffic, hazards, and so on. Table 1 provides
a brief history of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act in Korea
(Song, 2005a). Amongst other things, it shows a widening of areas and
project types covered in EIA, some increase in public involvement, and
innovations in reviewing EIS output.