The history of the Ministry of Environment, the environmental authority of the Republic of Korea, stems from the Pollution Section of the Ministry of Health and Society established in 1967, which was expanded to Pollution Division, in charge of environmental administration, in 1973. After several reform and expansion of environmental authority, the Environment Administration was launched as a subsidiary of the Ministry of Health and Society in 1980. In January. 1990, the Environment Administration was promoted to the Ministry of Environment under the Office of Prime Minister, in order to efficiently integrate and coordinate environmental issues. In December, 1994, the Ministry of Environment was given greater authority to establish and implement its own policies.