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It’s a North Korean defector that’s filing charges.
It’s a North Korean defector that’s filing charges.
What is happening?
Choi Min-kyung, a defector from North Korea, is making history by filing both civil and criminal charges against Kim Jong Un.
Her legal action, to be filed in Seoul, South Korea, marks the first time a North Korean-born defector has personally pursued justice through South Korea’s legal system against the regime’s leader.
Abuse and Torture After Repatriation
Choi originally fled North Korea for China in 1997 but was forcibly returned in 2008.
She says that upon her return, she endured sexual abuse and torture while in detention—trauma that continues to affect her to this day.
Backed by Human Rights Advocates
The Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB), a Seoul-based organization, is supporting Choi’s case.
The group says this legal move could set a powerful precedent, opening new paths for holding Pyongyang accountable.
Taking the Case to the World Stage
Beyond South Korea’s courts, NKDB plans to elevate Choi’s case to the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.
The aim is to bring global attention to the regime’s alleged crimes against humanity.
Choi’s Call for Dignity and Justice
In a statement released through NKDB, Choi expressed hope that her case would be a “cornerstone” for restoring freedom and dignity to those still suffering in North Korea.
A Second Escape
Choi managed to flee North Korea again in 2012 and has since resettled in South Korea.
Despite her newfound freedom, she says the psychological scars remain and that she still requires medication to manage the effects of her past experiences.
Years of Documented Abuses
International human rights groups have long documented grave abuses in North Korea, from political imprisonment and torture to widespread discrimination based on class and gender.
A Shift Toward Criminal Accountability
Hanna Song, executive director of NKDB, told BBC Korean that this case is groundbreaking because it involves criminal charges—not just civil litigation.
Previous legal actions against the regime had been limited to financial claims.
Legal Precedents, Symbolic Rulings
Though South Korean courts have previously ruled against North Korea in similar civil cases—such as those involving prisoners of war and defectors from Japan—the regime has never responded.
Why Recognition Matters More Than Money
According to Song, many victims aren’t solely after compensation—they want to be heard.
“A court ruling in their favor,” she said, “means their story is officially acknowledged. That recognition can offer a form of healing money can’t buy.”
