earticle

영어

This study investigate the relationship among economic growth, environmental pollution, and income inequality within South Korea, China, and Japan. In order to analyze the nexus of economic growth, environmental pollution, and income inequality, this study utilized the Kuznets and environmental Kuznets hypotheses. Also, in this paper, the relationship between income inequality and environmental pollution was conducted through panel analysis. The main findings are as follows. First, the increase in environmental pollutants not only affects the environments, but also affects the income inequality. Second, as the income share of the top 10% increase, CO2 emissions increase more than the income share of the top 1%, and conversely, the increase in CO2 emissions tend to deepen the income inequality. As a result of the establishment of a relationship between environmental pollution and income inequality, the direction of policies to reduce environmental pollution should not only be directed at environmental regulations and related R&D investments, but also seek new policy directions through resolving income inequality. At the same time, we must recognize that solving the problem of income inequality can help solve environmental problems.