"'Asia's First' Climate Lawsuit Plaintiffs: 'The Ruling Marks the Start of Climate Action'"

"Government and National Assembly Must Initiate Follow-up Measures"

The climate lawsuit petitioners and their legal representatives stated on the 29th, "The ruling is not the end but the beginning of climate action."

Han Je-a, the petitioner of the Baby Climate Lawsuit, is holding a press conference at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Kang Jin-hyung]

On the same day, immediately after the Constitutional Court's ruling of unconstitutionality on the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, the petitioners said in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, "Today's ruling shows that our lives, which can safely continue even amid the climate crisis, exist here." They emphasized, "Although there is some regret that certain parts were not accepted, today's ruling is clearly a meaningful advancement to protect everyone's rights beyond the climate crisis."

Han Je-a-yang (12), one of the 'baby climate lawsuit' petitioners, said, "I am happy and proud as if a wish has come true," and added, "I hope this ruling will bring about greater change to create a world where children like me do not have to file constitutional complaints in the future." Lee Byung-joo, the lawyer representing the 'youth climate lawsuit,' emphasized, "As in the German climate lawsuit case, I believe that during the follow-up legislative amendment process by our National Assembly, there will be substantial strengthening of the overall greenhouse gas reduction targets."

Climate and environmental organizations called on "the government and the National Assembly to promptly take follow-up measures." Climate Solution said, "The first constitutional unconstitutionality decision in Asia is an important milestone for climate action," and added, "At this critical time approaching an irreversible 'tipping point,' the National Assembly and government must not hesitate and must take follow-up actions."

There was also criticism regarding the Constitutional Court not questioning the current greenhouse gas reduction target by 2030. The Korean Federation for Environmental Movements expressed "deep regret over the Constitutional Court's dismissal and rejection of other issues consolidated under the so-called 'climate lawsuit,'" and pointed out, "This decision by the Constitutional Court must not become a pardon for the government's insufficient and uncertain climate crisis response policies."

Sarah Mead, co-director of the Climate Lawsuit Network, said, "The Constitutional Court of Korea's ruling, connecting the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and the European Court of Human Rights, is the first in Asia and will have significant ripple effects throughout the region," adding, "It will also serve as an important precedent for dozens of similar cases pending worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.