Seoul, South Korea – Today, Greenpeace East Asia Seoul held a press conference outside the Seoul Central District Court, emphasizing the urgent need for a strong Global Plastics Treaty that includes a reduction in plastic production. The event followed the court hearing for four Greenpeace International activists and Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior captain, who have been under investigation and now on trial in South Korea following a peaceful direct action carried out last November.
On November 30, 2024, during the fifth round of negotiations for a UN Global Plastics Treaty (INC5) in Busan, South Korea, Greenpeace activists boarded a tanker that was set to load toxic plastic chemicals near the Daesan petrochemical complex. Boarding the mast with a banner that said "Strong Plastics Treaty", their action demanded governments deliver a treaty that strongly cut plastic production.
British citizen Al Wilson, one of the activists involved in the Daesan direct action, said, "Plastic emits toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases throughout its entire life cycle, with the most severe pollution occurring during production. We need a systemic shift that drastically reduces plastic production to address this crisis at its root."
Al continued, "I came to South Korea and participated in a peaceful protest to amplify the voices of millions calling for production cuts. Right now, petrochemical lobbyists are working hard to weaken this treaty. We took action to resist that."
At the press event, Greenpeace East Asia Seoul displayed a large mural featuring the five individuals and the message "Bring Our Activists Home". This same mural has been used by 21 Greenpeace offices around the world during a global solidarity action that took place outside South Korean embassies last month.
Hettie Geenen, Rainbow Warrior captain, said "This was a powerful show of global unity. It was a reminder we are not alone. We are grateful to all who stood with us in solidarity."
Nara Kim, Plastics Campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia Seoul, added "At INC-5, which was initially expected to be the final round of negotiations, over 100 countries showed meaningful progress by endorsing a strong treaty including plastic production reduction.
They stood up against a handful of oil-producing countries to prevent a weak treaty from happening. With only 80 days left until the resumed session, INC5.2 which will take place in August in Switzerland, all member states, including the Republic of Korea, must work to deliver a robust treaty that includes production cuts to protect public health, ecosystems, and the climate."
