NIS Illegally Surveilled Cho Kuk, Labeled as 'Pro-North Forces'... Court Orders 50 Million Won Compensation

Law: "Deliberate, Organized Human Rights Violations Using Secret Societies"
Cho Kuk's Side: "Public Manipulation Resembling Military Operations... Hoping No Tragedy Occurs"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who has been indicted on charges of entrance exam fraud and covering up an inspection, is attending a trial held on the 14th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk won a partial victory in the first trial against the state, claiming that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) illegally surveilled him during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations.

On the 17th, Judge Kim Jin-young of the Civil Division 34 at the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the state must pay former Minister Cho 50 million won in damages in the compensation lawsuit filed by Cho.

Judge Kim stated, "The actions of the NIS were carried out by public officials prohibited from political involvement, who used secrecy to intentionally and systematically violate the plaintiff's human rights," adding, "Considering the duration, content, and seriousness of the illegal acts, it is reasonable to set the compensation at 50 million won."

Former Minister Cho filed a lawsuit against the state last June, demanding 200 million won, alleging that the NIS surveilled him and conducted public opinion manipulation from 2011 to 2016.

Shortly after the verdict, Cho's side released a statement saying, "The NIS defined former Minister Cho as an enemy akin to a terrorist and carried out public opinion operations reminiscent of military operations," and added, "We hope that this ruling will prevent such tragedies from happening again."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.