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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) announced on July 27 that more than 1.5 million people have signed a nationwide petition supporting its historic lawsuit holding tobacco companies accountable — far surpassing the original goal of one million signatures.
The petition drive, initially scheduled from March 24 to May 31, was extended through June 30 due to overwhelming public participation and demand. NHIS emphasized that the petition is not just a campaign but “a stern judgment against tobacco companies that have ignored public health, and a resounding call from the Korean people to defend their right to health.”
Petition participants voiced anger, stating: “There are countless people suffering from lung and laryngeal cancer. Why have tobacco companies never once taken responsibility?”
Health and legal experts underscored that “the causal link between smoking and disease is scientifically proven,” and stressed the need to now address the legal and societal responsibility of the tobacco industry.
Anti-smoking and consumer advocacy groups added, “Public health must not be sacrificed for corporate profit — the public interest must come first.”
NHIS submitted the petition results to the appeals court on July 25, along with a statement by its president, respiratory medicine specialist Dr. Jung Ki-seok. The statement highlighted the addictive nature of tobacco and confirmed that smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer — testimony expected to weaken tobacco companies’ defense that blames “other causes” and “individual choice,” while reinforcing the legitimacy of the lawsuit.
The submission also referenced official statements from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), both of which have formally expressed support for the public health importance and validity of the Korean lawsuit. In May, WHO and the FCTC Secretariat provided scientific and policy statements endorsing NHIS’s case.
Dr. Jung Ki-seok, Chairman of NHIS, stated:
“Through this nationwide petition, the will of the Korean people has come together as one. Now, only the court’s historic ruling remains. This is not the end — until the appeals verdict is delivered, we earnestly ask the public to stand with us so that a just decision for a healthier Korea can be reached.”
NHIS filed the lawsuit in April 2014 against KT&G, Philip Morris Korea, and BAT Korea, seeking KRW 53.3 billion (approx. USD 40 million) in damages. The case is currently under appeal.
AlphaBIZ Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
