In a landmark judicial decision, the Tokyo District Court has mandated North Korea to provide 88 million Japanese yen (approximately $570,000) in compensation to four individuals deceived by Pyongyang’s propaganda campaign decades ago. The plaintiffs, including 83-year-old Eiko Kawasaki who spent over four decades in North Korea after relocating at age 17, were lured by promises of an earthly paradise featuring free healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
Instead of the promised utopia, the victims encountered severe living conditions involving forced labor in agricultural and industrial facilities, coupled with severe movement restrictions. Kawasaki, who eventually escaped in 2003, represents the thousands of ethnic Koreans who migrated to North Korea under the resettlement initiative between 1959 and 1984.
The ruling culminates a protracted legal battle that previously saw setbacks. In 2022, a lower court dismissed the case citing jurisdictional issues and expiration of the statute of limitations. However, the Tokyo High Court overturned this decision in 2023, asserting Japan’s jurisdictional authority and recognizing North Korea’s violation of the plaintiffs’ fundamental rights.
Presiding Judge Taiichi Kamino emphasized the profound impact on victims’ lives, stating that North Korea effectively ruined most of their existence. While the judgment carries significant symbolic weight, enforcement remains practically challenging given North Korea’s consistent disregard for the litigation process and refusal to acknowledge Japanese court summons.
Legal representatives acknowledged the historic nature of the verdict while recognizing the difficulties in actual compensation collection. The case represents the first instance of Japanese judiciary exercising sovereignty over North Korea to condemn its malpractice in the controversial resettlement program.