At just 20 weeks in the womb, Choi Hee-woo became one of the youngest plaintiffs globally by joining a landmark climate lawsuit against South Korea. This significant case reached the Constitutional Court in late May, marking the first time in East Asia that national climate policies were challenged in such a manner. Now 18 months old, Hee-woo, alongside over 60 other children, eagerly awaits a verdict expected later this year. Their collective legal action highlights the urgent need for stronger governmental measures to combat climate change and protect future generations.
The combined lawsuit, titled “Woodpecker vs South Korea,” involved around 200 plaintiffs, including 62 children under five, and merged four similar cases filed between 2020 and 2023. The plaintiffs argue that the South Korean government is neglecting its constitutional duty to safeguard citizens’ rights to life and a healthy environment. This duty is reinforced by the country’s commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global temperature increases. As the Constitutional Court prepares to deliver its decision, the case underscores the increasing role of legal systems in addressing climate change and holding governments accountable for environmental protection.
