• The term “sustainable development” first came into widespread use through Our Common Future, a 1987 report published by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). The report defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of generations to meet their own needs.”
• In Korea, the term sustainable development was first defined in the 2008 Framework Act on Sustainable Development. The concept was further refined in 2022 with the enactment of the Framework Act on Sustainable Development. Under the current Framework Act on Sustainable Development, sustainable development refers to development based on the concept of sustainability. Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present generation without depleting the economic, social, environmental, and other resources needed by future generations, while maintaining a balance among those resources. Based on this concept, sustainable development seeks balanced progress across economic growth, an inclusive society, and a clean and stable environment.

(Source: Sustainable Development Portal)