South Korean court orders North Korea to pay $32.5 million in compensation
The Seoul Central District Court in South Korea ordered the North Korean government to pay 44.6 billion won, or $32.5 million, in compensation for the destruction of the joint inter-Korean liaison office in the border area of Kaesong.
Court ruling
The court fully upheld the South Korean government's lawsuit against the North Korean government. In addition to the principal amount of compensation, Pyongyang must pay interest that will accrue until the ruling is fully enforced. This was reported by Anadolu Agency.
As the Korea Herald notes, this is the South Korean government's first victory in a damages lawsuit filed directly against North Korea.
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Office in Kaesong
Pyongyang destroyed the joint liaison office on June 16, 2020. The institution was opened in September 2018 after former South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed the Panmunjom Declaration in April of that year.
Enforcement of the ruling
According to the Korea Herald, it is unclear how Seoul will be able to secure enforcement of the ruling, as there are currently no practical means of forcing Pyongyang to make the payment. Inter-Korean relations deteriorated during the presidency of Yoon Suk Yeol, and the sides have not yet restored communication since Lee Jae-myung took office as president last year.
