South Korean citizenʹs preferences on renewable energy support and cooperation policy for North Korea

To solve the continuing North Korean energy problem, the international community has provided, almost continuously, energy aid such as heavy fuel oil. Despite the large amount of energy aid North Korea has received, there is no evidence that the North Korean energy problem has gotten any better. Unless there is an structural energy reconstruction within North Korea, it portends the energy crisis there will only be exacerbated. Thus, North Korean energy solution cannot continue to remain at the level of providing direct aid, but should encompass a sustainable energy system that can answer the Northʹs energy needs in mid- to long-term. Seeking a more permanent solution to solve the North Korean energy crisis, we contend renewable energy (RE) is a suitable option that can be used to build a sustainable energy system that North Korea can self-manage. From the South Korean energy policy perspective, that could be used to provide mid- and long-term energy solution for North Korea and fundamentally solve its energy crisis, this research sought to assess the South Korean residents’ preferences on burdening the cost associated with implementing a South Korean Government (SKG)-led RE support and cooperation policy for the North. We conducted a survey to assess the majority voting trends and approximately 30% of the respondents answered they had “no desire to pay.” The result showed that it would be difficult to fund an energy policy by making the South Korean populace directly shoulder the cost.