Jung Kisuk: "While We Respect the Court's Decision, the Gap Between Science and the Law Is Significant"
The National Health Insurance Corporation has announced its intention to appeal after losing the appellate trial in its damages lawsuit worth 50 billion won against tobacco manufacturers.
Jung Gi-seok, Chairman of the National Health Insurance Corporation, is speaking about the second trial loss in the large-scale damages lawsuit filed against major tobacco companies at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News
Jung Kisuk, Chairman of the National Health Insurance Corporation, met with reporters immediately after the appellate court ruling on the tobacco lawsuit at the Seoul High Court on the 15th, stating, "While we respect the court's decision, it is a very disappointing and regrettable verdict."
On this day, the court ruled in favor of the defendants in the appellate trial of the damages lawsuit filed by the National Health Insurance Corporation against KT&G, Philip Morris Korea, and BAT Korea, among others.
Jung, a pulmonologist, commented, "I did not expect such a large gap between science and the law," adding, "The scientific truth is that smoking does not cause lung cancer in 100% of cases, but it can lead to lung cancer, and diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are all either caused or worsened by smoking." He continued, "It is heartbreaking that the court still makes such reserved judgments about the harmfulness of tobacco."
In the first trial, the court did not recognize claims regarding the causal relationship between smoking and cancer, design or labeling defects in tobacco products, or allegations that tobacco companies minimized or concealed the addictive nature of tobacco. Throughout the appeal process, the National Health Insurance Corporation emphasized the harmful effects of tobacco and the responsibility of manufacturers.
Jung also pointed out, "In today's trial, the judge said that the results of cohort studies cannot be recognized on an individual basis. However, our epidemiological data show that 98% of small cell lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. So, can anyone then claim that not a single lung cancer patient is attributable to smoking?"
He further criticized, "Tobacco companies make huge profits from selling cigarettes, while the public suffers and dies from tobacco-related illnesses. It is like a driver fleeing the scene after causing a car accident that injures or kills people. Tobacco companies are hit-and-run offenders."
He also announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. Jung stated, "Tobacco companies have persistently misled the court by adopting only the erroneous claims of a very small segment of the medical community. If the state does not protect its people from tobacco, the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution will inevitably be undermined. We will prepare a variety of strategies and respond thoroughly, as if we are facing a new trial."
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