Korean Sustainable Development Goals (K-SDGs)

The Republic of Korea adopts a strategic approach to sustainable development that promotes balanced growth between the economy and society, building upon a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness among economic, social, and environmental sectors. Korea has incorporated into its Basic Plan for Sustainable Development a national development framework that ensures competitiveness for the current generation while preserving the environment for future generations.
The Basic Plan for Sustainable Development is formulated every five years with a 20-year timeframe to implement international agreements on sustainable development and promote national sustainable development. The detailed targets and indicator system are designed to incorporate content tailored to Korea’s specific circumstances, with the aim to achieve alignment between global indicators and country-specific indicators.

K-SDG Framework

The 4th Basic Plan for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2020, aims to achieve sustainable development in harmony with future generations. Based on input from diverse societal groups, it encompasses the forward-looking objectives of the K-SDGs and associated indicators. The K-SDGs encompass four major strategic areas—People (Social), Prosperity (Economic), Environment, and Peace & Cooperation—along with 17 goals, 119 targets, and 236 indicators to achieve these strategies.

K-SDG Vision and Strategies

K-SDG Vision and Strategies Under the 4th Basic Plan for Sustainable Development

Establishment Process

The K-SDGs were formulated through a bottom-up process with the participation of relevant government ministries, private-sector working groups, various stakeholders, and the general public. The government developed the K-SDGs through joint public–private–academic working groups, in consultation with inter-ministerial bodies—including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Education—and with support from working-level task forces.
Throughout this process, the government served as a facilitator by providing forums for social dialogue and compiling the outcomes of discussions, while the actual goal-setting was led by joint public-private-academic working groups organized for each SDG.
Notably, the K-SDGs were finalized after undergoing a comprehensive social dialogue process through the national SDGs forum and public surveys, and ultimately approved at a Cabinet Meeting.