Seoul court holds North Korea liable for torture, sexual abuse of defector

Seoul court holds North Korea liable for torture, sexual abuse of defector
August 29, 2026

LATEST NEWS

Seoul court holds North Korea liable for torture, sexual abuse of defector

A Seoul court on Friday ordered North Korea to pay 50 million won ($36,300) to a defector who said she was repeatedly tortured and sexually abused in detention, ruling the DPRK government responsible for abuses committed inside its prison system.

The Seoul Central District Court upheld plaintiff Choi Min-kyeong’s claim for 50 million won in full, a court spokesperson told NK News Friday, though the court did not immediately make public its reasoning for the decision.

Choi’s lawyer, Lee Young-hyeon, said the ruling accepted that the DPRK government, represented by Kim Jong Un, bears responsibility for abuses committed in

Share this post:

POLL

Who Will Vote For?

Other

Republican

Democrat

RECENT NEWS

North Korea launches suspected ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

North Korea launches suspected ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

Kim Jong Un inspects weapons factories, calls for AI and automation upgrades

Kim Jong Un inspects weapons factories, calls for AI and automation upgrades

Kim Jong Un and Kim Ju Ae walk past a wall inscribed with names at the Taesong Mountain Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Pyongyang, flanked by North Korean officials, during an Aug. 14 visit marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation.

Kim Ju Ae’s telling expressions

Dynamic Country URL Go to Country Info Page