World > Asia & Oceania
Seoul's climate goals unlawful

SEOUL — South Korea's Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that much of the East Asian country's climate goals were unconstitutional, handing a landmark victory to young environmental activists, who wept for joy on the court steps.

The first such case in Asia, brought by children and teenagers who named an embryo as a lead plaintiff, claimed that South Korea's legally binding climate commitments were insufficient and unmet, violating their constitutionally guaranteed human rights.

CLIMATE CLAMOR Activists hold banners outside South Korea's Constitutional Court in the capital Seoul on Aug. 29, 2024. AFP PHOTO