This communication will develop a reflexion on the South Korea's pathway towards sustainable development, departing from a rapid growth model and influenced by globalization. Is it possible for this country with a strongly growth driven economy to shift from this economic system to a more sustainable one, particularly in regards to ecological issue? Since the country followed the adage "grow now, clean later", the environmental issues have been longer ignored. During the last decade, the country has progressively opened its door to globalisation and the policies have also been more systematically formulated in accordance with the international prescription pertaining to sustainable development. Korea now has to take into account the necessity to keep up with the economic demands while dealing with this multilevel complex governance. Will these measures be efficient enough to answer the systemic and long term environmental issues at stake?