Climate Lawsuit in South Korea: Citizens Seek Protection of Environmental Rights
At South Korea’s constitutional court in Seoul, plaintiffs, lawyers, and activists gathered outside, chanting slogans and calling for climate action. Among them was 17-month-old Woodpecker, the youngest of over 250 plaintiffs involved in the landmark climate lawsuit known as “Woodpecker et. al. v. South Korea.” The plaintiffs argue that the government’s failure to effectively address climate change violates their fundamental human rights.
This is the first climate lawsuit in Asia to reach a public hearing. The court is considering four petitions filed since 2020, which argue that the government is not doing enough to reduce carbon emissions and protect citizens from the devastating impacts of climate change.
Woodpecker’s mother, Lee Donghyun, explained that she made her son a plaintiff while he was still in her womb. She expressed concern that the government was deferring the responsibility of reducing carbon emissions to future generations, stating, “The more we think this task can be delayed now, the bigger the burden our future generations will have.” She likened it to “passing on a debt to your children.”
The plaintiffs argue that South Korea’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels, is insufficient. They contend that this target will not prevent catastrophic climate change and will violate their constitutional rights. Environmental groups have also criticized the target, noting that it is less ambitious than those set by other countries.
Despite the urgency of the climate crisis, the government is likely to argue that it is doing everything it can to minimize climate change while supporting the nation’s economy, which is heavily dependent on fossil fuels and carbon-intensive industries.
Lee Donghyun, a plaintiff and legal representative, emphasized the difficulty of combating climate change as an individual. She expressed her belief that fundamental reforms are necessary to meet the country’s climate targets. “That’s why I think it’s time for the government to reorganize our industries and our consumption in a way that reduces carbon emissions,” she argued.
The lawsuit is being closely watched both in South Korea and internationally. If the constitutional court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could set a precedent for other countries in Asia to follow and strengthen the legal protection of environmental rights.
