First North Korean Lawsuit in South Korea Involves Inheritance

Four North Korean siblings filed suit against the second wife of their father and his family in South Korea for their inheritance from their father’s estate.  The estate is valued at about $8 million. The lawsuit was filed by the eldest sibling, who lives in  South Korea.   

Because South Korea’s Constitution and Supreme Court holdings define Korea as the entire Korean peninsula, all Northern Koreans are considered citizens of South Korea and can initiate lawsuits in South Korea.  All prior lawsuits filed by North Koreans were settled prior to acceptance for trial. 

See Su-Hyun Lee, South Korean Court to Hear Suit From North, NY Times, July 15, 2009.

Special thanks to Adam Hirsch (professor of law, Florida State University) for bringing this article to my attention.