South Korean growers sue state power utility, blaming climate change for crop damage

Core Perspective - A group of South Korean farmers, led by Hwang Seong-yeol, has filed a lawsuit against Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and its subsidiaries, claiming that their reliance on fossil fuels has exacerbated climate change, leading to agricultural losses [3][4][9]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit is the first of its kind in South Korea, questioning the quantification of power companies' contributions to climate change and the resulting agricultural damage [4]. - The plaintiffs are seeking initial damages of 5 million won ($3,400) per farmer, with a symbolic request for 2,035 won ($1.4) each to advocate for the phase-out of coal power by 2035 [11]. - KEPCO produced approximately 30% of South Korea's greenhouse gas emissions from 2011 to 2022, which corresponds to about 0.4% of global emissions [10]. Group 2: Impact on Agriculture - Farmers are experiencing significant crop damage due to increasingly erratic weather patterns attributed to climate change, with Hwang expecting a yield reduction of 20% to 25% this year [6][8]. - The South Korean government reported that extreme weather events in 2024 led to "agricultural disasters," affecting thousands of hectares of cropland, particularly rice [8]. - Farmers are facing higher production costs and must use more labor and pesticides to manage the impacts of climate change on their crops [17]. Group 3: Energy Transition Challenges - South Korea's energy mix in 2024 included only 10.5% renewable energy, with KEPCO subsidiaries relying on coal for over 71% of their electricity production [11]. - Experts highlight that KEPCO's significant debt, exceeding 200 trillion won ($137 billion), limits its ability to invest in renewable energy and modernize the power grid [12]. - The slow transition to renewable energy in South Korea may hinder the country's ambitions in advanced technology sectors, as global pressure mounts for cleaner energy operations [16].