A South Korean lawmaker announced that a captured North Korean soldier wishes to live a “normal life” in South Korea. South Korea aims to grant citizenship to these troops as capture by Ukrainian forces raises grave concerns about their fate. The lawmaker underscored the serious risks associated with repatriation, citing North Korean policies toward captured soldiers.
A South Korean lawmaker revealed that a North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces expressed a desire to live a “normal life” in South Korea. This declaration followed Seoul’s commitment to confer citizenship to North Korean soldiers who may choose to defect. In January, the National Intelligence Service noted the capture of two North Korean soldiers, part of approximately 10,000 sent by Kim Jong Un to aid Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon had the opportunity to meet with the captured soldiers, currently held at a secret detention facility in Ukraine, after he received permission from Ukrainian authorities. He described his emotional encounter with the two young men during a press conference, reflecting on the feelings of compassion and empathy that surfaced during their meeting. One soldier voiced his aspiration to relocate to South Korea in hopes of eventually reuniting with his parents.
The North Korean soldier expressed concerns about his future, asking if he would be able to live freely and enjoy the rights he desires in South Korea, including having a home and starting a family. According to South Korean constitutional law, all Koreans, including those from the North, are recognized as citizens, which officials confirmed would extend to any captured troops.
Lawmaker Yu emphasized the dire circumstances surrounding any potential repatriation of the soldiers, suggesting that sending them back to North Korea could equate to a “death sentence.” South Korean intelligence reports indicate that North Korean soldiers are trained to commit suicide to avoid capture. Yu mentioned that the captured soldiers recounted instances of their comrades taking their own lives.
Yu reiterated that even as prisoners of war, North Korean soldiers must be acknowledged as South Korean citizens deserving of protection. This statement comes in light of a past incident in 2019, when the South Korean government expelled two North Korean men for murder, marking the first transfer to the North since the Korean War. Years later, images emerged showing one man resisting the handover, highlighting the complexities surrounding these matters.
The situation regarding captured North Korean soldiers in Ukraine highlights significant humanitarian and ethical concerns. It underscores the implications of citizenship laws in South Korea and the threats these soldiers face if returned to North Korea. As all Koreans are recognized as citizens under South Korean law, their protection and potential for new lives in the South remain critical issues.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
