Seoul court orders North Korea to pay $32.5 million for demolishing liaison office
A district court in Seoul has ordered North Korea to pay approximately 44.6 billion won ($32.5 million) in damages for destroying the Inter-Korean Liaison Office in Kaesong in June 2020. This represents the first time South Korea has sought damages directly from the North Korean state. Although experts believe North Korea is unlikely to pay, Seoul has indicated it will consider follow-up measures to enforce the ruling.
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A district court in Seoul ruled on Wednesday that North Korea must pay approximately 44.6 billion won, or about $32.5 million, in damages for demolishing the Inter-Korean Liaison Office in the North Korean city of Kaesong in June 2020. This lawsuit marks the first time the South Korean government has sought damages directly from the North Korean state.
The liaison office had been located inside the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which is now dormant. Previously, South Korean companies operated there alongside North Korean workers. The office was designed to promote better relations and communication between the two countries.
North Korea destroyed the building in 2020 following escalating tensions. The situation intensified when activists in South Korea sent balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. North Korea responded by describing the liaison office as "useless."
The lawsuit was filed in 2023 during the presidency of Yoon Suk Yeol, who had pursued a hardline approach toward North Korea before being removed from office following a martial law crisis. Experts widely consider it highly unlikely that North Korea will ever pay the damages ordered by the court. According to a court spokeswoman, Seoul will "review the necessary follow-up measures" required to enforce the ruling.
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