Lawmaker Reveals North Korean POW’s Desire for 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 is part of a larger commitment by the South Korean government to grant citizenship to North Korean troops. Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon, who met with the soldiers, conveyed their fears of returning to North Korea and underscored their rights as citizens under South Korean law.

On March 4, a South Korean lawmaker announced that a North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine expressed a desire to live a “normal life” in South Korea. This statement follows the South Korean government’s commitment to extend citizenship to North Korean military personnel. In January, Seoul’s National Intelligence Service reported the capture of two North Korean soldiers out of an estimated 10,000 deployed by North Korea to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.

Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon indicated he had met with the detained soldiers, who are currently held in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. He shared the emotional impact of the encounter, stating, “The moment I faced the two young prisoners, I was overwhelmed with emotions – compassion, sympathy, and an innate sense of empathy.” One soldier expressed his hope to relocate to South Korea to reunite with his parents.

During the meeting, the soldier raised concerns about his potential life in South Korea, questioning whether he would have the rights he hoped for and the opportunity to establish a home and family. Under South Korean law, all Koreans, including those from the North, are treated as citizens, which officials confirmed would apply to captured North Korean soldiers.

Mr. Yu emphasized the dire consequences of returning the soldiers to North Korea, describing it as “essentially a death sentence.” He noted that North Korean troops have been instructed to commit suicide if captured, recounting that the soldiers mentioned witnessing multiple suicides by comrades.

In a constitutional context, North Korean soldiers are recognized as South Korean citizens and deserving of protection as such. In contrast, the South’s previous action in 2019 involved expelling two North Korean men who allegedly murdered their crewmates, marking a significant governmental transfer back to the North since the Korean War. New images from that incident illustrated one man’s distress during the handover.

In summary, the South Korean lawmaker’s remarks shed light on the plight of North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine. The soldiers’ desire for a normal life in South Korea reflects the constitutional provisions that protect them as citizens. The risks associated with their potential repatriation highlight the ongoing challenges faced by North Korean defectors. This situation also underscores the complex interplay of law and humanitarian considerations in addressing the needs of soldiers in conflict zones.

Original Source: www.straitstimes.com