The South Korean court said the government failed to link smoking to specific health problems. It's part of a global pattern of decisions favoring the tobacco industry.

Tobacco companies win — again — in South Korean lawsuit over costs to treat sick smokers

Jung Ki-suck (C), president of the National Health Insurance Service, speaks to reporters after the verdict on South Korea's tobacco lawsuit at a court in Seoul on January 15, 2026. A South Korean court ruled on January 15, against the state health insurer in its lawsuit against the country's three largest tobacco companies over their alleged responsibility for smoking-related harms.

Big tobacco

Big Tobacco

Tobacco companies win — again — in South Korean lawsuit

Yejin Gim is a Seoul-based freelance journalist covering politics, social injustice, and culture in South Korea. She previously reported on public policy and disinformation at the National Assembly of South Korea and the SNU FactCheck Center.

 Yejin Gim

Yejin Gim is a Seoul-based freelance journalist.

Fearless journalism
for a healthier world

Yejin Gim

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Tobacco companies win — again — in South Korean lawsuit over costs to treat sick smokers

Fearless journalismfor a healthier world

Yejin Gim

Latest

Tobacco companies win — again — in South Korean lawsuit over costs to treat sick smokers

Fearless journalism
for a healthier world