North Korean Soldier Captured in Ukraine Expresses Desire for Life in South Korea
A South Korean lawmaker revealed that a North Korean soldier captured in Ukraine desires a ‘normal life’ in South Korea. Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon emphasized that sending these soldiers back to North Korea would constitute a ‘death sentence.’ Under South Korean law, all Koreans are considered citizens, which includes captured soldiers. The soldiers have expressed hopes of starting new lives and reuniting with family in the South.
On Tuesday, a South Korean lawmaker announced that a North Korean soldier captured in Ukraine expressed a desire to lead a “normal life” in South Korea. Following Seoul’s recent pledge to offer citizenship to North Korean military personnel, this soldier’s statement underscores the gravity of the situation. Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon noted that he met the two captured soldiers held at a Ukrainian detention facility.
Yu shared that upon meeting the soldiers, he experienced overwhelming emotions such as compassion and empathy. One soldier conveyed a strong wish to relocate to South Korea, with the hope of eventually reuniting with his parents. Additionally, he inquired about the rights and opportunities he would have, including the possibility of establishing a family in South Korea.
South Korean law declares all Koreans citizens, including those from the North, reinforcing that any captured troops in Ukraine are entitled to this consideration. Yu strongly emphasized that sending these soldiers back to North Korea would equate to a death sentence, as intelligence reports suggest they are instructed to commit suicide if capture occurs.
Yu further elaborated on the severe conditions under which North Korean troops exist, noting the harrowing reality of witnessing fellow soldiers taking their own lives rather than facing capture. Moreover, he reiterated that even as prisoners of war, North Korean soldiers must be afforded constitutional protections as South Korean citizens.
Past instances, such as the 2019 expulsion of two North Korean men who allegedly murdered their crewmates, have shown the complexities of this issue. However, these men were later documented resisting their transfer back to the North, highlighting the deep-seated fears and risks involved in returning to North Korea.
The statement by Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon highlights the plight of North Korean soldiers seeking solace in South Korea amidst the war in Ukraine. The understanding that all Koreans are considered citizens under South Korean law opens avenues for humanitarian considerations. Sending these soldiers back to North Korea poses severe moral implications, potentially resulting in their demise due to existing military directives regarding capture. This situation calls for a compassionate and protective approach towards captured individuals.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
