Youth plaintiffs sue to stop Gwangyang No. 2 blast furnace relining, set to emit 137 million tons of carbon in 15 years 

February 27, 2025 (SEOUL) – Today, ten youths, aged 11 to 18, filed a civil lawsuit demanding that POSCO stop relining its Gwangyang No. 2 blast furnace. The plaintiffs argue that the project ignores carbon reduction obligations and severely impacts future generations' rights. Most come from steel-producing regions, including two living near the furnace. Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC), the Gwangyang Environmental Movement Association, and the Pohang Environmental Movement Association held a press conference in front of POSCO Center in Seoul, to announce the lawsuit. 

This lawsuit follows last August’s constitutional ruling that recognized the state’s obligation to respond to the climate crisis. It is the first legal action based on that decision to hold a corporation accountable. It is also the world’s first climate lawsuit against the traditional blast furnace production system amid growing alternatives like electric arc furnaces and hydrogen-based steelmaking. 

POSCO’s Carbon Footprint & Economic Risks 

Blast furnaces burn coal to melt iron ore, making POSCO South Korea’s top carbon emitter. The company started relining the aging Gwangyang No. 2 blast furnace, extending its lifespan by 15 years, despite expected cumulative carbon emissions of at least 137.02 million tons (137.02 MtCO₂), equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 9.8 million South Koreans. 

Legal experts argue this violates corporate environmental responsibilities and undermines South Korea’s climate commitments (NDC). Environmental law expert Hong-kyun Kim from Jin & Lee Law Office stated, “Carbon neutrality is unattainable while maintaining blast furnaces. The only solution is to shut them down.” 

Yeny Kim, attorney from SFOC and one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys explained that "Relining a blast furnace for another 15 years violates future generations’ rights to a healthy environment and life. This also disregards international standards and the demands of civil society for greenhouse gas reduction, making it a valid case for a civil injunction." 

 Image 1:  Plaintiffs and activists saying no to blast furnace relining in front of POSCO.

Jungwon Kim, a youth living in Pohang and a plaintiff said "Growing up, I saw smokestacks fill the sky on my way to school every day. Even when my throat hurt all day from fine dust, or when iron particles collected on the window frames just from opening a window, I had to accept it because the adults always said, 'Thanks to POSCO, our region survives.'" 

Contrary to the belief that relining blast furnaces benefits the economy, some argue that the blast furnace relining weakens both POSCO’s competitiveness and the local economy. Jungwon said "As the global trend shifts towards 'RE100' (100% renewable energy), continuing with blast furnaces is not just a failure to address the climate crisis, it is also a serious blow to the local economy. If POSCO is excluded from global investments due to high carbon emissions or hit with heavy carbon tariffs, the local economy will suffer, too." 

Youth Voices Demand Action 

At the press conference in front of POSCO Center, six plaintiffs signed a replica lawsuit cover page to symbolize their stand. Filed with the Daegu District Court (Pohang branch), the case urges POSCO to take responsibility. 

 Image 2:  Plaintiff signing a replica lawsuit cover page

The youngest plaintiff, 11-year-old Yoohyun Kim, stated "I came here during my precious winter break, my last as an elementary school student, because I want to protect all four seasons. I couldn’t watch my favorite seasons, spring and fall, disappear. True solutions require fundamental and large-scale change at the corporate level. Please make a bold, forward-thinking decision to stop the relining and save our seasons." 

Minjun Jo, a middle school student from Daegu, warned "If the climate crisis continues, the ecosystem in my hometown and my quality of life will be negatively affected. Shutting down blast furnaces is a crucial first step in reducing carbon emissions and creating a healthy planet for future generations." 

Hyunjun Choi, a high school student from Gyeonggi, criticized POSCO’s decision. "Even though the climate crisis is no longer a distant future, POSCO isn’t shutting down its blast furnaces—it’s doubling down on them. That was shocking. It’s also irresponsible for them to ignore the voices of young people, the very ones who will face the consequences. If this lawsuit is decided without considering the rights and future of young people, we will be left in a world where corporations evade responsibility for the climate crisis, putting our lives in danger." 

Juwon Lee, a middle school student from Pohang, said "POSCO funds environmental education in our schools, so I thought they were committed to carbon neutrality. But then I learned they were relining old blast furnaces instead of shutting them down. That’s why I joined this lawsuit. POSCO teaches students about carbon neutrality, yet their actions suggest they don’t take it seriously. If they really cared about the planet’s future, they should show it by stop relining, not just through education." 

ENDS.   

Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) is an independent nonprofit organization that works to accelerate global greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy transition. SFOC leverages research, litigation, community organizing, and strategic communications to deliver practical climate solutions and build movements for change.    

For media inquiries, please reach out to Yi Hyun Kim, Communications Officer, at yihyun.kim@forourclimate.org.