Tens of thousands in South Korea protest lack of climate progress

7/9/2024 18:13

        More than 30,000 protesters gathered in South Korea's capital in broiling heat on Saturday, demanding more aggressive action by the government to combat global warming.
        
        With temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), protesters young and old marched in the country's biggest demonstration so far this year, snarling traffic in central Seoul.
        
        They waved large banners reading "Climate justice," "Protect our lives!" and "NO to climate villain (President) Yoon Suk Yeol's administration".
        
        Organised by the 907 Climate Justice March Group Committee, the protest followed a ruling last month by South Korea's top court that the nation's climate change law fails to protect basic human rights and lacks targets to shield future generations.
        
        The 200 plaintiffs, including young climate activists and even some infants, told the constitutional court that the government was violating citizens' human rights by not doing enough on climate change.