North Korean POW Desires Normal Life in South Korea, Lawmaker Reveals

A South Korean lawmaker revealed that a North Korean soldier captured in Ukraine wishes for a “normal life” in South Korea. The soldier’s desire for freedom and family highlights South Korea’s constitutional obligation to protect all Koreans, including North Korean troops, while noting the severe consequences of repatriation to the North. Historical context reveals the challenges surrounding North Korean defectors and the complexities of treatment in South Korea.

On Tuesday, a South Korean lawmaker, Mr. Yu Yong-weon, reported that a North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces expressed a desire to lead a “normal life” in South Korea following Seoul’s commitment to offer citizenship to North Korean troops. This statement came after the confirmation by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service that two out of an estimated 10,000 North Korean soldiers sent to aid Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine had been detained by Ukrainian forces.

Mr. Yu recounted his emotional encounter with the two military prisoners, whom he met after requesting permission from Ukrainian officials to speak to them. During a press conference, he relayed that one soldier conveyed hopes of relocating to South Korea to reunite with his family and inquired if he could live with the rights and dignity he desires in his new country, including having a home and starting a family.

According to the constitution of South Korea, all Koreans are considered citizens, including those residing in the North, thereby extending citizenship rights to these captured North Korean soldiers. Mr. Yu highlighted that returning these soldiers to North Korea would likely result in a death sentence, stating that North Korean protocol mandates soldiers to commit suicide rather than face capture.

Furthermore, South Korean intelligence has reported that North Korean troops have witnessed fellow soldiers opting for suicide when injured, emphasizing the dire situation of these soldiers. Mr. Yu maintained that even as prisoners of war, they must be afforded recognition as South Korean citizens, warranting protection under the law.

In a historical context, it is noteworthy that in 2019, South Korea expelled two North Korean individuals after accusations of murder against them, marking the first repatriation from the South to the North since the end of the Korean War. However, in 2021, images surfaced showing the distress of one individual at the transfer process, highlighting the complexities surrounding North Korean defectors and returnees.

The statements made by Mr. Yu underline the potential for North Korean soldiers to seek refuge and a better future in South Korea, as well as the legal obligations South Korea bears towards these individuals due to their constitutional rights. The tragic circumstances surrounding these soldiers reflect the broader humanitarian implications of the North Korean regime’s treatment of its military personnel. This situation highlights the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.

Original Source: www.voanews.com