North Korean Soldier Captured by Ukraine Seeks Normal Life in South Korea

A South Korean lawmaker revealed that a North Korean soldier, captured in Ukraine, wishes to live a “normal life” in South Korea. This aligns with South Korea’s commitment to granting citizenship to captured North Korean troops. The soldier expressed hopes of reuniting with family and questioned his rights in South Korea, while officials recognize all Koreans as citizens under the law, prompting discussions about their treatment as prisoners of war.

Seoul, South Korea – On March 4, a South Korean lawmaker disclosed that a North Korean soldier, captured by Ukrainian forces, expressed a desire to lead a “normal life” in South Korea. This declaration follows the South’s commitment to grant citizenship to North Korean troops. In January, the National Intelligence Service of South Korea confirmed that Ukrainian military units had taken two of approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers dispatched by Kim Jong Un to support Russian efforts in Ukraine.

Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon reported having met the two detained soldiers in an undisclosed Ukrainian location, following a request made to local authorities. He recounted feeling deep emotional responses upon meeting the young individuals, stating that he felt “compassion, sympathy, and an innate sense of empathy”. One soldier specifically conveyed a wish to relocate to South Korea to reunite with his parents, inquiring about his potential rights and opportunities for living independently in the South.

According to South Korean law, all Koreans, inclusive of those residing in the North, are regarded as citizens. Government officials restated that this classification would extend to North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine. Yu underscored the severe consequences of returning the soldiers to North Korea, labelling it “essentially a death sentence”, especially given reports from South Korean intelligence regarding orders for soldiers to commit suicide rather than risk capture.

Mr. Yu further emphasized that even as prisoners of war, North Korean soldiers are constitutionally recognized as South Korean citizens entitled to protection. He added that these soldiers had witnessed several of their comrades take their own lives rather than be apprehended. The situation highlights the stark realities faced by North Korean forces engaged in the conflict.

The issue of North Korean defectors has been sensitive; in 2019, the South Korean government expelled two North Korean men suspected of murdering 16 crew members before seeking refuge in South Korea. This notable incident marked the first known repatriation to the North since the Korean War’s conclusion, drawing significant media attention as subsequent imagery revealed one individual resisting the transfer.

In conclusion, the desire of a captured North Korean soldier to start anew in South Korea sheds light on the complexities of defecting from the North. With South Korea’s legal framework recognizing all Koreans as citizens, there are significant humanitarian considerations at play. The accounts of suicides among North Korean troops further emphasize the dire circumstances they face. This situation encapsulates the ongoing challenges and human rights implications arising from the conflict and Cold War-like divisions on the Korean Peninsula.

Original Source: www.straitstimes.com