Tokyo court has ordered the North Korean government to pay over 88 million yen in damages to four former settlers who were deceived by propaganda into relocating to North Korea several decades ago. The court ruled this as a serious human rights violation. Although practically recovering the money is difficult, the lawyer called this a major victory affirming judicial authority over North Korea.
On Monday, 26 Jan 2024 GMT+7, Tokyo District Court in Japan issued a ruling ordering North Korea to pay a total compensation of 88 million yen (approximately 17.74 million baht) to four plaintiffs who were former residents of Japan and had chosen to move to North Korea under the past "Return to the Homeland" program.
The plaintiffs stated they were deceived by North Korean propaganda that portrayed the country as a "paradise on earth" with comprehensive healthcare, education, and free employment. However, upon arrival, they faced harsh living conditions, forced labor on farms and factories, and severe restrictions on their freedoms until they eventually managed to escape back to Japan.
One plaintiff, 83-year-old Aiko Kawasaki, recounted that she traveled to North Korea in 1960 at just 17 years old and spent almost her entire life there before escaping in 2003. Judge Taiichi Kamino stated during the verdict reading, "It is no exaggeration to say that nearly their entire lives were destroyed by North Korea."
This large-scale migration program, which took place between 1959 and 1984, involved over 90,000 Koreans living in Japan choosing to move to North Korea. However, survivors revealed realities that starkly contradicted the promises made to them.
Plaintiffs’ lawyer Atsushi Shiraki said this is the first time a Japanese court has exercised sovereign authority over North Korea to acknowledge its unlawful acts. Nevertheless, the ruling is largely symbolic since North Korea has consistently ignored the case, and Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has never responded to the court summons.
Another lawyer, Kenji Fukuda, acknowledged the "greatest challenge" is compelling North Korea to actually pay the damages. Yet the Tokyo High Court’s acceptance of the case after it was previously dismissed in 2022 marks a significant step toward restoring justice and dignity to victims who lost the best years of their lives.
. . .BBC