South Korea Sees Major Climate Protest as Thousands Demand Action

In a significant show of concern for Climate change, over 30,000 individuals gathered in Seoul, South Korea, urging the government to adopt more rigorous measures against Global warming. Amidst sweltering temperatures surpassing 30 degrees Celsius, the protest on Saturday marked the largest of its kind in 2023, significantly disrupting traffic in the heart of the capital.

Source: Reuters/YouTube

Demonstrators, ranging from the youth to the elderly, were seen holding banners with messages such as “Climate justice,” “Protect our lives!” and critical remarks against the current administration led by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Environmental activist Yu Si-yun, who spearheaded the protest, emphasized the unbearable summer heat exacerbated by inadequate air conditioning, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change to address the global climate crisis.

The rally, organized by the 907 Climate Justice March Group Committee, followed a pivotal court ruling last month. South Korea’s top court declared that the country’s existing climate legislation does not adequately safeguard human rights or future generations. The court case brought forward by 200 plaintiffs, including young activists and infants, argued that the government’s insufficient efforts on Climate change infringed upon citizens’ human rights.

South Korea, known as a significant coal polluter within the Group of 20 economies, has been slow in integrating renewable energy sources. Despite aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, last year the government reduced its 2030 targets for industrial greenhouse gas emissions reduction while maintaining a national goal of a 40% reduction compared to 2018 levels.

The impact of Climate change is also evident in agricultural sectors, particularly affecting the production of napa cabbage, essential for the nation’s cherished kimchi, with both quality and quantity declining due to the intense heat. As Seoul experiences an unprecedented number of tropical nights, protestors, including 46-year-old novelist Kim Ki-chang, stress the importance of immediate action, particularly from older generations, to secure a safer future for the youth. This year’s demonstration took place in the bustling Gangnam district, targeting the big corporations located there, which are often blamed for substantial carbon emissions.

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• Shell vs. Greenpeace: A Legal Battle Over Climate Protests

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