Youth Climate Activism in South Korea: A Legal Turning Point

Yoon Hyeonjeong, a 19-year-old South Korean activist, is part of a landmark climate change lawsuit at the country's top court. The case, involving around 200 plaintiffs, argues government inaction on climate change violates human rights. This could set a precedent in Asia for climate litigation, inspired by similar cases worldwide.

Yoon Hyeonjeong, a 19-year-old South Korean activist, is laying the groundwork for what could be a landmark ruling on climate change by the country's top court. The decision, expected on Thursday, focuses on a petition led by Yoon and around 200 plaintiffs, arguing that the government is violating human rights by falling short in its fight against climate change.

This legal move, hailed by climate advocacy groups, might be the first such ruling by a high court in Asia, potentially setting new legal precedents across the region. Similar lawsuits have been launched in Taiwan and Japan, highlighting a growing trend in environmental litigation. In Europe, a recent case saw the Swiss government found guilty of insufficient climate action by the top human rights court.

Yoon's activism, inspired by the global youth climate movement led by figures like Greta Thunberg, has evolved from picketing with crayon-written slogans to taking legal action. She hopes this court decision will dismantle bureaucratic barriers to more effective climate policies. Meanwhile, government lawyers argue that existing measures to reduce carbon emissions are adequate.

(With inputs from agencies.)