Jang Daul
In the heart of Seoul, amidst the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, a different kind of battle is being waged — one that resonates far beyond the borders of Korea. This battle is not waged with weapons or political rhetoric, but with the weight of legal arguments and the fervent determination of climate-concerned citizens, passionate activists and lawyers.
At the center of this struggle is Korea's Constitutional Court, which held the first public hearing of Asia's first climate lawsuit against the government’s climate target on April 23, with the next hearing scheduled for May 21, a watershed moment in the global fight against the climate crisis.
The genesis of this legal saga dates back to 2020, when the first climate lawsuit was filed in Korea. Now, four consolidated lawsuits stand before the court, each representing a diverse array of plaintiffs united by a common cause: To hold the government accountable for its inadequate climate policies. From infants to children, teens, citizens and civil society activists, the plaintiffs represent a unified voice demanding climate justice and liability.
The crux of the plaintiffs’ argument rests on a fundamental premise: That climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a matter of constitutional rights.........