Research

My Research

My research focuses on analyzing the societal impacts of environmental issues and evaluating the effectiveness of related environmental policies 

Job Market Paper

“The Mortality and Morbidity Consequences of Particulate Matter in South Korea: Evidence from Transboundary Air Pollution”

This study estimates the impact of PM2.5 on mortality and morbidity consequences in South Korea, with a focus on the elderly population (i.e., 65 years and older), one of the most vulnerable groups to the health effects of air pollution. Using transboundary air pollution from China to address endogeneity, the findings show that increased PM2.5 leads to higher mortality among the elderly and increased healthcare utilization. Additionally, this study examines the detailed effects by age group and disease code to provide a more nuanced understanding of PM₂.₅'s impact on mortality and healthcare utilization. A 5.6 µg/m³ reduction in PM2.5 between 2015 and 2022 yields an economic benefit of $14 billion. These results underscore the significant health benefits of reducing air pollution and highlight the continued importance of effective air quality policies. 

Working Paper

“The Impact of Particulate Matter Management Policy on Electric Power Sector: Evidence from Coal-Fired Generators in South Korea”

The Particulate Matter Management Policy (PMMP) aims to protect public health from air pollution across various sectors in South Korea. Given the substantial contribution of coal-fired power plants to air pollution, investigating the effectiveness of policies in the electric power sector is essential. This study compiles and analyzes data from five representative power companies on electric generation and emissions to evaluate the impact of the PMMP on coal-fired power generators in South Korea. The findings indicate that following the policy intervention, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and total suspended particles (TSP) decrease by 50% and 25%, respectively. Furthermore, the emission intensities of these pollutants decline by 53% for NOX and 30% for TSP. These results highlight the policy's success in reducing specific emissions (NOX and TSP) from coal-fired power generators, contributing to the objectives of the Clean Air Conservation Act.

Work in Progress

“The Impact of Particulate Matter Management Policy on Air Pollution and Human Health: Evidence from Coal-Fired Power Plants”

“The Effect of PM10 and PM2.5 Pollution on Electricity Consumption in Household Sector in South Korea”

“The Effect of NOX Exposure to Elderly Mortality in South Korea with Satellite Data”

“Determining the Population Effected by Environmental Racism: Evidence from Hampden County” with Sparshi Srivastava

“The Determinants of Urban-Rural Migration in Fishing Villages in South Korea”, with Tae-Hyun Kim