When the Korean government announced the biggest-ever hike in cigarette prices last year, smoker and artist Kim So-cheol and his friends decided to take action: They decided to make cigarettes on their own.



They planted seeds of the two most popular tobacco plants -- Virginia and Burley -- on the rooftop of Kim’s small house in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. In four months, the plants grew as tall as Kim.



“It started as a response to the government’s decision to raise tobacco prices,” Kim told The Korea Herald in an interview last week at his studio.



The artist, who “smokes three to five cigarettes a day,” wanted to demonstrate his opposition against the government, he said.



Participants make cigarettes in the tobacco workshop conducted by artist Kim So-cheol. (Courtesy of the artist)



“There is nothing wrong about raising tobacco prices to increase tax revenue. But the problem is that the decision was made to gather more taxes from working-class smokers before they make any move to impose higher taxes on the rich and big corporations,” he said. Kim studied art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the U.S. and majored in printing at Seoul National University.



Following the 2,000 won ($1.70) increase per pack, which took effect on Jan. 1, tobacco prices in Korea rose to 4,500 won on average. The stated purpose of the price hike -- the biggest yet -- was to reduce the country’s smoking rate, but many speculated the primary reason was for the government to increase its tax income.



Many smokers complained and some quit smoking.



But Kim thought of making his protest a fun, participation-based activity. “I imagined it to be like kimjang -- the group kimchi making,” said Kim.



Virginia tobacco plants grow on the rooftop of Kim‘s studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul. (Courtesy of the artist)