Japan court orders compensation for migrants lured to North Korea

A Tokyo court has ordered North Korea to pay 88 million yen to four people who say they were lured to the North decades ago and later escaped; the ruling is largely symbolic because Pyongyang has ignored the case.

A Tokyo court has ordered North Korea to pay 88 million yen to four people who say they were lured to the North decades ago and later escaped. The plaintiffs say they were promised an idyllic life but experienced harsh conditions. The ruling follows a long legal battle in Japan. Officials and lawyers note the decision is hard to enforce because North Korea has not engaged with the lawsuit. Key points: - A Tokyo court ordered 88 million yen in compensation to four plaintiffs who say they were lured to North Korea decades ago. - The plaintiffs allege they were enticed by propaganda promising a better life and later escaped from the North. - The ruling is largely symbolic and currently unenforceable because North Korea has not responded to the case. Summary: The court ruling formally recognises the plaintiffs' claims and represents a legal victory after years of litigation in Japan. What happens next is undetermined at this time.