Over 30,000 people gathered in Seoul recently, protesting the South Korean government’s lack of meaningful action against climate change. Braving temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F), protesters from various age groups called for immediate and aggressive measures to address global warming, marking the country’s largest demonstration of 2024.
Waving banners with messages such as ‘Climate Justice’ and ‘Protect Our Lives!’, the crowd voiced their frustration with the government’s slow progress.
The protests snarled traffic in central Seoul as demonstrators chanted against President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration, labelling it a “climate villain” for not taking enough steps to combat the escalating environmental crisis. Yu Si-yun, an environmental activist leading the protest, remarked, “This summer was unbearable without air conditioning. We are dealing with a global issue, and systemic change is the only way forward. Time is running out.”
The protest, organised by the 907 Climate Justice March Group Committee, follows a landmark ruling by South Korea’s top court last month. The court ruled that the country’s climate law fails to protect basic human rights and lacks targets to safeguard future generations. The plaintiffs, numbering over 200, argued that the government was violating citizens’ rights by not doing enough to mitigate climate change.
South Korea, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, is currently one of the largest coal polluters among the G20 nations, behind Australia. Critics point to the country’s slow adoption of renewable energy and its recent reduction of the 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets for the industrial sector. Despite this, South Korea has maintained its national goal of reducing emissions by 40% from 2018 levels.
Impact on Agriculture and Daily Life
Even traditional Korean staples, like kimchi, have been affected by climate change. Farmers report that the rising heat has negatively impacted the quality and quantity of napa cabbage, a key ingredient in the dish. “Feel how long this summer is,” said protester Kim Ki-chang, a 46-year-old novelist attending the march for the third consecutive year. “This is a survival issue for younger generations, and we must act now.”
The protest shifted to the bustling Gangnam district this year to directly target large corporations blamed for contributing to carbon emissions. As South Korea experiences a record 20 consecutive “tropical nights,” the urgency for climate action has never been more pressing.
