A South Korean court has ordered North Korea to pay Seoul $32.5 million in a recent ruling on Wednesday for blowing up a joint liaison office in 2020.
At that time, both countries’ relations hit rock bottom following the collapse of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.
According to media reports, the court also ordered the country to bear the costs related to litigation.
The ruling issued by the Seoul District Court was symbolic as South Korea cannot force the neighbouring country to pay this amount amid a diplomatic breakdown. There are less chances that North Korea will respond to the ruling or pay any damage, as per reports.
The context of the ruling stems from North Korea’s aggressive act of blowing up the empty and South Korean-built liaison office with explosives, citing Seoul’s failure to stop activists from sending anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border. Seoul slammed the act, calling it unlawful and illegal.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has halted diplomacy with the South, labelling it a primary enemy, advancing his nuclear program, and forging closer ties with Moscow and Beijing within a self-described “new Cold War.”
The ruling comes at a time when tensions run high in the Korean peninsula between two countries. North Korea is involved in expanding nuclear capabilities on the pretext of US’ efforts to bolster the security of countries in the region.
Tensions escalated following the collapse of the 2019 summit between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, after the U.S. rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial nuclear surrender.
Last month, President Trump scaled back military drills with South Korea, adding that this act jeopardises the security of Pyongyang. He also wished to meet Kim, however, North Korea responded half-heartedly.
Speaking about the ruling, North Korea has not yet responded to it.
