[JTBC April 15, 2017] Harming the Nature Results in a Legal Charge in New Zealand based on Earth Law, How about in Korea?
[Hae-seong Jeong JTBC Reporter] For the first time in the world in March, the Wanganui River in New Zealand has been granted legal rights same as human. The New Zealand parliament and the native Maori group have collaborated to pass the Earth law as they were concerned about the river’s pollution getting worse. The Wanganui River became a legal entity, and through its agents, it became possible to exercise lawsuits and other rights against those who polluted the river.
In Korea, discussion of Earth law has been active mainly within the legal and civic groups. For example, a mock trial that assumes a case against the government of the Four Rivers is under way to alarm the excessive development policy.
“If the rights of nature are recognized, more efforts on reviewing and regulating will be made when it comes to developing nature. Then, the development policy will be more cautious and it will prevent the aftereffects (Kumsil Kang, Founder and Executive Director of People for Earth).”
In addition, the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment of the National Assembly is reviewing the Constitution to include the phrase ‘Respect for all life’.
To see the article click below (available only in Korean):