The Supreme Court ruled against claims by four smokers that smoking KT&G products caused their cancer, ending a 15-year battle to hold the cigarette company accountable, the Korea Herald said.

By upholding a lower court ruling that there is insufficient proof to link the cancers to smoking, the high court ruled on the last of four compensation suits against tobacco companies in Korea. None of the suits were successful.
Whether the ruling will impact plans by National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) to sue tobacco companies for damages to public health remains open, according to a report by Korea Broadcasting System KBS.