“Farmers File Landmark Lawsuit Against Power Companies Over Climate Change Damage”, 13 August 2025

Six South Korean farmers have filed a civil lawsuit against Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and its five power subsidiaries, demanding compensation for climate-related damages.

The lawsuit, announced Tuesday during a press conference in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, marks the first legal challenge holding KEPCO and its affiliates accountable for agricultural climate damage due to their role in greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Climate Solution, a local environmental NGO, this case targets KEPCO, the nation’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and its subsidiaries, seeking to establish direct responsibility for climate harm to the agricultural sector.

The plaintiffs emphasize that the lawsuit is not merely about compensation, but represents a historical step in addressing the core issue of climate responsibility…

The farmers involved in the lawsuit shared personal testimonies of the growing impact of climate change on their livelihoods…

The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for property damages, along with symbolic damages of 2,035 won, a reference to their call for the government to pursue a coal phase-out by 2035...

If the court acknowledges the link between corporate emissions and climate damage in this case, it could set a landmark precedent for climate-related lawsuits in South Korea and globally….