On March 4, a South Korean lawmaker revealed that a captured North Korean soldier in Ukraine seeks to live a normal life in South Korea. Following the intent to grant citizenship to North Korean troops, the soldier expressed hope for freedom and a family. Officials emphasize that returning the soldiers to North Korea would be life-threatening, given North Korean policies towards captured troops.
A South Korean lawmaker announced on March 4 that a North Korean soldier captured in Ukraine expressed a desire for a “normal life” in South Korea. This follows South Korea’s commitment to offer citizenship to North Korean military personnel. In January, the National Intelligence Service confirmed the capture of two North Korean soldiers, part of an estimated 10,000 North Koreans sent to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon shared his experience meeting the captured soldiers, who are currently detained at an undisclosed Ukrainian location. He felt strong emotions of compassion and empathy during the encounter. One soldier indicated a wish to relocate to South Korea, desiring to reunite with his parents and live freely, asking if he could have rights and a family in South Korea.
Under South Korean law, all Koreans, including those in the North, are recognized as citizens. Officials confirmed that captured North Korean soldiers in Ukraine would be granted citizenship. Yu stressed that returning the soldiers to North Korea would likely result in their execution, as North Korean directives reportedly instruct troops to commit suicide if captured.
The South Korean intelligence suggests that many North Korean soldiers choose suicide over capture, with accounts from the soldiers indicating that they have seen comrades take their lives. Yu noted, “Even as prisoners of war, North Korean soldiers are constitutionally recognized as South Korean citizens and must be protected accordingly.”
In a historic incident in 2019, South Korea expelled two North Korean defectors believed to have murdered fellow crew members before reaching South Korean shores. This marked the first case of deportation to North Korea since the Korean War, with images showing one of the expelled men actively resisting the transfer.
The situation of the North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine raises significant questions about citizenship and human rights under South Korean law. The expressed desire of one soldier for a normal life and the risks of returning to North Korea highlight the historical tensions between the two Koreas. South Korea’s commitment to protecting the rights of these soldiers could lead to important legal and humanitarian discussions in the future.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
