A South Korean court has awarded partial compensation to repatriated fishermen who were unlawfully detained, tortured, and falsely accused of espionage after being abducted by North Korea decades ago. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — A South Korean court has awarded partial compensation to repatriated fishermen who were unlawfully detained, tortured, and falsely accused of espionage after being abducted by North Korea decades ago.
However, the damages granted fell significantly short of the amounts sought by the plaintiffs, prompting frustration and plans for an appeal.
The Chuncheon District Court’s Sokcho Branch ruled partially in favor of the fishermen and their families in four separate lawsuits on January 9. The court acknowledged that the state was responsible for illegal acts, including torture, wrongful criminal prosecution, and persistent surveillance, which led to severe human rights violations.
However, it denied liability for failing to protect the fishermen during their abduction, citing limited maritime security capabilities at the time.
Limited Compensation and State Apology
The court calculated compensation at roughly 10% of the amount claimed, based on precedents and the length of detention. It did not grant damages to some family members who alleged harm from surveillance, nor did it approve the plaintiffs’ request for a formal apology from the prosecutor general.
Judge Kim Hyun-gon, presiding over the case, took the unusual step of offering a personal apology to the victims and their families. “While I cannot represent all state institutions, I sincerely apologize for the severe physical and emotional suffering caused by illegal acts committed by state agencies,” he said, acknowledging the gravity of the human rights abuses.
“You have endured unimaginable hardship for most of your lives, and for that, I deeply regret what you have been through.”
Frustration Over Insufficient Redress
Despite the apology, the plaintiffs expressed discontent over what they viewed as inadequate redress, particularly for the extensive surveillance that continued long after their release.
Kim Chun-sam, leader of the victims’ association, criticized the compensation as “woefully insufficient” and vowed to appeal the ruling. “The failure to adequately protect and compensate the abducted fishermen underscores ongoing injustice. We will carefully review the ruling and pursue further legal action to reveal the full truth,” Kim said.
A Case Rooted in Historical Injustice
The lawsuits stem from the experiences of South Korean fishermen who were abducted by North Korea during maritime incidents decades ago. Upon their return, many faced wrongful imprisonment and enduring stigmatization as “reds,” a term used to label suspected communists during South Korea’s military regimes.
This ruling marks a significant step in addressing state accountability for past human rights violations, though the outcome highlights lingering challenges in achieving justice for victims of systemic abuse.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
