Japanese expats suing Kim Jong-Un

Worldcrunch, Sept. 3, 2021: Duped By North Korean Propaganda, Japanese Expats Are Suing Kim Jong-un:

https://worldcrunch.com/world-affairs/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-summoned-by-japanese-court

Kim Jong-Un, Supreme Leader of North Korea, has been summoned to appear in a Japanese courthouse. Five people who moved to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) between 1959 and 1984 are seeking 500 million yen (3.8 million euros) in damages from the North Korean government for deceiving them with promises of a prosperous life they never found in the totalitarian state, South Korean daily Segye Ilbo reports.

The plaintiffs, four women and one man, are among the estimated 93,000 Japanese-Koreans and other Japanese who moved to North Korea in the latter half of the previous century, often persuaded by a propaganda project (Zainichi Chosenjin no Kikan Jigyo) to attract immigrant workers. The targeted campaign was carried out through the General Association of Koreans in Japan (Chongryon), the de facto representative of North Korea in Japan, touting life in the Northern peninsula as "paradise on Earth."

Hard to see the lawsuit as anything other than symbolic in its practical effect. That's not to say that I don't sympathize though, with the plight of the duped Japanese-Koreans.

But maybe the plaintifs can instead press charges to & ask redress from the Chongryon though? Assuming Chongryon is still operating in Japan, after all these years... They still are, kinda though maybe not doing so well..?

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