Key Points:
1.The Korean Elderly Association clearly expresses their support for the public health insurance tobacco lawsuit.
2.Smoking's long-term impact on the health of the elderly population has sparked concern.
3.Tobacco companies may face pressure to establish a fund for smoking victims.
According to a report from the Korean News Agency on June 10th, the Korean Association of Senior Citizens publicly expressed their support for the efforts of the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation in their lawsuit against tobacco companies. The case is currently in the appeals trial stage and will soon receive a final judgment.
During a meeting with the Korea Health Insurance Corporation, the president of the Korean Elderly Association, Lee Joong-geun, stated:
"Due to the long-term damage to health caused by smoking, the elderly generation may be at a higher risk of developing more deadly diseases. The resulting increase in medical expenses will create a significant burden on society as a whole. Therefore, the lawsuit by the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation against tobacco companies is an issue that the entire population needs to support."
Li Zhonggen also believes that these tobacco companies are making huge profits by manufacturing and selling cigarettes, but fail to take any responsibility. He calls for tobacco companies to demonstrate a sense of responsibility by establishing a smoking damage fund and other means.
As early as April 2014, the Korea Health Insurance Corporation filed a lawsuit for damages against multiple tobacco companies including KT&G, Korean PMI Company, and BAT Korea Company, seeking approximately 533 billion Korean won in damages. This amount is equivalent to the medical expenses paid by 3,465 individuals with a history of smoking for over thirty years, or individuals with a history of smoking one pack a day for twenty years who have been diagnosed with lung cancer or throat cancer.
The direction of the case has attracted widespread attention in society, with people from all walks of life calling for strengthened regulation and accountability measures on tobacco companies to better protect public health.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
