Activist sues Korean, Chinese authorities over air pollution

By Kim Se-jeong

An environmental activist and a lawyer filed a compensation suit against the governments of Korea and China, Wednesday, claiming their inaction on fine dust puts people’s health at greater risk.

In the complaint lodged with the Seoul Central District Court, Choi Yul, president of the Korean Green Foundation, said, “The extent of air pollution caused by fine dust has reached unbearable levels. As a member of the international community, China bears responsibility to keep air pollutants under control. But, it has failed to do so.”

Lawyer Ahn Kyoung-jae said he has fallen victim to fine dust. In the complaint, Ahn said he began suffering from asthma after hiking Mount Bongui, March 27, 2017, when the fine dust level was high.

They also criticized the Korean government.

“The Korean Constitution states every man has the right to pursue happiness, and the air pollution issue is demonstrating the government is failing to deliver that to the people,” they said.

Five other individuals also joined Ahn and Choi in the suit. They are each demanding 3 million won ($2,669) in compensation.

The legal action comes when Korea’s air pollution is at its worst. Spring is a bad time for fine dust, and the Ministry of Government says the majority of particulate matter comes from China.

The move could resume a debate over whether China is to blame for fine dust in Korea. While acknowledging China’s contribution, many don’t agree Beijing should be solely held responsible.

“Most of the pollutants come from our living environment but the government has been blaming cars, China and even cooking mackerel fish for years,” Prof. Kim Dong-sool at Kyung Hee University told the Financial Times recently. Kim told The Korea Times that his school’s research team found China is to blame for only 30 percent of the fine dust.

Experts say a big portion comes from Korea’s coal-fired power plants and factories that emit particulate matter without being thoroughly regulated, a failure on the part of the government. They insist the government should shut down coal-fired power plants that are old, and be actively engaged in finding renewable energy sources to reduce fine dust emissions.

The lawsuit is also a reflection of public anger against the government in handling air pollution. Last weekend, people staged a protest in downtown Seoul, demanding the government act more swiftly and decisively. Another gathering is scheduled for June.

Prof. Kim said the lawsuit has scored a meaningful achievement. “Although the suit is a symbolic act and it is not likely to draw attention from any country, it reminds people of the importance of air quality and gets people to do something.”