A group of South Korean farmers are taking a bold stand against climate change and its devastating impact on their livelihoods. In a groundbreaking lawsuit, these farmers are suing the state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and its subsidiaries, holding them accountable for the damage caused to their crops by erratic weather patterns.
The story begins in the coastal plains of South Korea, where Hwang Seong-yeol, a seasoned farmer, watches with concern as a combine harvester collects his rice, muddied by relentless rains. This scene encapsulates the challenges faced by farmers across the country, who are grappling with the consequences of climate change.
But here's where it gets controversial: these farmers are not just victims; they are taking legal action. Led by lawyer Yeny Kim from Solutions for Our Climate, a Seoul-based nonprofit, they argue that KEPCO's reliance on fossil fuels has accelerated climate change, leading to agricultural losses. This is the first lawsuit of its kind in South Korea, raising important questions about corporate responsibility and the quantification of climate-related damages.
The case highlights South Korea's complex transition to cleaner energy. As a manufacturing powerhouse, the country industrialized later than many Western nations, now advocating for a fossil fuel-free future. Hwang's fields, nestled in a reclaimed coastal area, symbolize this transition's challenges. A bitterly cold spring, followed by heavy rains and floods, disrupted plant growth and bred fungal diseases, impacting his harvest.
Hwang and other farmers are questioning why they, who have done nothing wrong, should bear the brunt of the climate crisis. They demand accountability from those contributing to climate change.
"We began to question why it's always the farmers who suffer," Hwang said. "Shouldn't we be demanding something from those who are causing it?"
Lawyer Yeny Kim emphasizes the vulnerability of farmers to climate change. In 2024, South Korea experienced its hottest year ever, triggering a series of 'agricultural disasters.' Heavy summer rains and intense heat destroyed crops, mostly rice, across thousands of hectares.
The lawsuit seeks initial damages of 5 million won per client, a symbolic amount to urge the government to phase out coal power plants by 2035. KEPCO, which holds a monopoly on electricity transmission, declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing its potential influence on the verdict. However, experts highlight the utility's mounting debt, limiting its ability to invest in renewable energy.
Professor Yun Sun-Jin from Seoul National University acknowledges the lawsuit's symbolic value but questions the sole blame on KEPCO. She argues that climate change is a global problem, and it would be challenging to prove direct causation. Nonetheless, the lawsuit draws attention to South Korea's need for a more effective renewable energy approach, including deregulating solar investments and expanding offshore wind sources.
The impact of climate change on South Korea's agriculture is profound. Farmers face higher costs and reduced yields, while pests and diseases thrive in prolonged heat and humidity. Ma Yong-un, an apple farmer, has had to use more pesticides, and the apples are less plentiful and tasty. From tangerine farmers on Jeju Island to strawberry growers in Sancheong, farmers are struggling to adapt.
Ma, who began farming in 2011, coated his fruit trees with a mixture of copper sulfate and lime for the first time to prevent fungal infections and sun damage. He started thinking seriously about climate change in 2018 after a heavy snowstorm damaged his flower buds, leading to a poor harvest. Farming is becoming increasingly difficult, and he wonders how much longer he can continue.
"I think about that every day," Ma said, expressing concern for his teenage sons.
This lawsuit is a powerful statement, highlighting the urgent need for action on climate change and its economic implications. It invites discussion: Should corporations be held accountable for their contribution to climate change? How can we accelerate the transition to renewable energy? The answers to these questions will shape the future of South Korea's agriculture and its economic ambitions.
