Seoul: The government has announced it will not pursue additional legal action against North Korea for the destruction of South Korean-owned properties in the North, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated on Thursday. The announcement comes in response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding the possibility of filing further lawsuits after a recent court ruling.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the court had ordered North Korea to compensate the South Korean government 44.6 billion won (US$32.5 million) for the demolition of the inter-Korean liaison office located in Kaesong in 2020. Despite the court's decision, Minister Chung emphasized that the government would refrain from pursuing further lawsuits, citing practical challenges.

Chung described the demolition as an action that shocked the South Korean public and affirmed that it was deemed illegal and in violation of inter-Korean agreements. Nonetheless, he pointed out the impracticality of enforcing a court ruling against North Korea, which influenced the government's decision not to pursue additional legal measures.

The liaison office was destroyed by North Korea on June 16, 2020, as an expression of discontent over South Korea's inability to prevent defectors from sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. Additionally, North Korea has dismantled several South Korean-constructed tourism facilities at Mount Kumkang from 2019 through early 2025.