How babies sued over South Korea’s climate law — and won

Choi Hee-woo, a 20-week-old embryo, made history by becoming a plaintiff in a landmark climate lawsuit in South Korea, known as Woodpecker et al. v. South Korea. Initially, Choi’s mother planned for his older sibling to be a plaintiff; however, upon learning that an unborn child could join the lawsuit, she signed up Choi. Last week, the South Korean constitutional court partially ruled in favor of Choi and over 250 plaintiffs, ordering the legislative body to revise its climate law. The court found the government’s 2030 emissions reduction goal inadequate and ordered concrete plans to meet the 2050 carbon neutrality target. This ruling is the first of its kind in Asia and sets a precedent for similar cases globally, influencing future outcomes in Japan and Taiwan. Moreover, the court’s decision highlights the necessity of interim targets to ensure accountability in meeting long-term climate goals. This historic lawsuit, initially filed by 19 young people and later joined by 255 plaintiffs, demonstrates the power of youth activism in driving climate action. The ruling has sparked increased awareness about the climate crisis in South Korea, with calls for stringent climate laws and continued advocacy in the Korean Congress.