The Democratic Party of Korea has agreed to accept North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine as defectors, following a similar resolution from the People Power Party advocating for their protection. Lawmakers emphasize the human rights abuses faced by these soldiers and urge the South Korean government to facilitate a safe transition, highlighting the necessity of collaboration between parties on this humanitarian issue.
The Democratic Party of Korea recently announced its support for accepting North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine as defectors under South Korean law, marking a shift in its previous neutrality. “Our party is not opposed to the defection of North Korean soldiers to South Korea,” stated Rep. Jin Sung-joon, the party’s policy committee chair, emphasizing the importance of a quiet and dignified approach to this matter to avoid escalating tensions with Russia or North Korea.
The Democratic Party’s endorsement follows the People Power Party’s resolution aimed at providing humanitarian protection for these North Korean captives. Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, who authored the resolution, pointed out the necessity for political parties to speak out against the human rights violations faced by these soldiers. He emphasized their equal rights under the South Korean Constitution, stating, “These are men who were dragged to fight in a war, and narrowly survived.”
The resolution was supported by 22 lawmakers from the People Power Party, reinforcing its bipartisan backing for North Korean defectors. Notable signatories included Rep. Park Choong-kwon, a former North Korean military academy graduate, and other prominent political figures, who urged joint efforts from the Democratic Party to support these defectors. The party has been actively advocating for the North Korean soldiers expressing the desire to defect, with various representatives calling for decisive action from the South Korean government.
Rep. Sung Il-jong from the National Assembly’s national defense committee stressed the role of government agencies to facilitate the defectors’ transition to South Korea, urging them to take urgent measures. He warned against forcibly repatriating the soldiers to North Korea, noting the severe consequences they would face, including torture and hard labor.
The Democratic and People Power parties both support accepting North Korean POWs as defectors, highlighting the importance of human rights. The call for action aims to ensure these soldiers find refuge in South Korea, where they can escape the severe consequences of returning to North Korea. This collaborative political stance marks a significant step towards addressing their plight and reinforcing bipartisan support for human rights protections.
Original Source: www.koreaherald.com
