SEOUL: Seoul prosecutors have opened an unprecedented probe into North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister over Pyongyang's blowing up of a liaison office last month, officials said on Thursday (Jul 16).
The move is likely to infuriate the nuclear-armed North, which has repeatedly condemned South Korea in recent months, including directing personal insults at President Moon Jae-in.
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Seoul Central District prosecutors received a criminal complaint against Kim Yo Jong from a Seoul-based lawyer and had started an investigation, a spokeswoman told AFP.
READ: Kim's sister says 'no need' for another US-North Korea summit
Last month, Pyongyang blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border, days after Kim Yo Jong – one of her brother's closest advisers – had said the "useless" property would soon be seen "completely collapsed".
Before the demolition, it had issued a series of vitriolic condemnations of South Korea over anti-North leaflets that defectors send back across the heavily-militarised border – usually attached to balloons or floated in bottles.
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It raised pressure further by threatening military measures against Seoul, but later said it had suspended those plans in an apparent sudden dialling-down of tensions.
In his complaint, lawyer Lee Kyung-jae claimed the now-demolished liaison office was South Korean property as it was renovated using South Korean government funds, despite its being located in the North.
READ: South Korea says it will no longer accept unreasonable behaviour by North Korea
Kim "used explosives to destroy" the South's "quasi-diplomatic mission building that served the public interest", he said in the complaint.
Lee also filed a complaint against Pak Jong Chon, chief of the general staff of the North Korean military.
Under South Korea's criminal code, he stressed, damaging property or Read More – Source
SEOUL: Seoul prosecutors have opened an unprecedented probe into North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister over Pyongyang's blowing up of a liaison office last month, officials said on Thursday (Jul 16).
The move is likely to infuriate the nuclear-armed North, which has repeatedly condemned South Korea in recent months, including directing personal insults at President Moon Jae-in.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Seoul Central District prosecutors received a criminal complaint against Kim Yo Jong from a Seoul-based lawyer and had started an investigation, a spokeswoman told AFP.
READ: Kim's sister says 'no need' for another US-North Korea summit
Last month, Pyongyang blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border, days after Kim Yo Jong – one of her brother's closest advisers – had said the "useless" property would soon be seen "completely collapsed".
Before the demolition, it had issued a series of vitriolic condemnations of South Korea over anti-North leaflets that defectors send back across the heavily-militarised border – usually attached to balloons or floated in bottles.
Advertisement
Advertisement
It raised pressure further by threatening military measures against Seoul, but later said it had suspended those plans in an apparent sudden dialling-down of tensions.
In his complaint, lawyer Lee Kyung-jae claimed the now-demolished liaison office was South Korean property as it was renovated using South Korean government funds, despite its being located in the North.
READ: South Korea says it will no longer accept unreasonable behaviour by North Korea
Kim "used explosives to destroy" the South's "quasi-diplomatic mission building that served the public interest", he said in the complaint.
Lee also filed a complaint against Pak Jong Chon, chief of the general staff of the North Korean military.
Under South Korea's criminal code, he stressed, damaging property or Read More – Source
