Libel suit by Jong-un’s aunt fails

A defamation suit filed by Ko Yong-suk, the aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, against three North Korean defectors who settled in South Korea was dismissed by a court Thursday.

The Seoul Central District Court said the case was dismissed because Ko did not serve the defendants with papers after she couldn’t track down where they live.

Many North Korean defectors’ home addresses are kept secret in South Korea, to protect them from becoming targets of North Korea.

Last December, Ko accused a former North Korean security agent, the son-in-law of a former North Korean prime minister and an ex-diplomat, of defaming her and her husband with statements on TV such as, “She drove Kim Jong-nam, older brother of Kim Jong-un, out of power.”

She sought 60 million won ($51,370) in compensation from the defendants, 20 million won from each.

In her complaints, Ko provided the work addresses of the defendants, but all three denied receiving any documents on the lawsuit.

“Ko had other means to deliver the documents to the defendants, such as by way of a public announcement,” said Lee Gyu-hong, chief judge of Seoul Central District Court.

BY LEE YOO-JEONG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]