Health authorities are preparing to seek reimbursement from tobacco companies for health costs associated with smoking-related diseases, the Korea Herald reported.

Every possible means including lawsuits will be used to recoup costs, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) reportedly said. In 2011 NHIS spent the equivalent of USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.1 billion) on patients afflicted with smoking-related diseases, according to the Herald.
Unidentified legal experts cited in the article said it may be difficult under Korean law to hold the tobacco industry accountable. Legal action by NHIS would mark the first time a government agency sued domestic and foreign cigarette makers to reclaim health costs, the newspaper reported.