North Korean POW Expresses Desire for Normal Life in South Korea

A South Korean lawmaker revealed that a North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine expressed a wish to live a “normal life” in South Korea. The South Korean government has reaffirmed that all Koreans are considered citizens, thus protecting captured North Korean troops. Yu Yong-weon emphasized the dangers of returning these soldiers to North Korea, citing their training to commit suicide when captured.

On Tuesday, a South Korean lawmaker, Yu Yong-weon, shared that a North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine expressed a desire to pursue a “normal life” in South Korea. This announcement came after Seoul extended an offer of citizenship to North Korean soldiers, who are estimated to number around 10,000 in Ukraine fighting alongside Moscow against Kyiv. The meeting occurred after Yu requested to see the soldiers, currently held in detention at an undisclosed location in Ukraine.

Yu recounted a poignant encounter with the two young prisoners, stating he felt an overwhelming sense of “compassion, sympathy, and an innate sense of empathy”. During the meeting, one soldier conveyed his aspiration to relocate to South Korea, hoping to reunite with his parents. He also inquired whether he would have the freedom and rights to create a home and establish a family upon his move to the South.

According to the South Korean Constitution, all Koreans, including those in the North, are considered citizens, a principle that government officials reiterated regarding troops captured in Ukraine. Yu emphasized that returning these soldiers to North Korea would likely result in their death, as North Korean soldiers are reportedly trained to take their own lives rather than be captured. He stated that these soldiers revealed witnessing several instances of their comrades committing suicide by grenade.

Yu remarked, “Even as prisoners of war, North Korean soldiers are constitutionally recognized as South Korean citizens and must be protected accordingly.” He drew attention to a troubling precedent from 2019 when the South Korean government expelled two North Korean men accused of murdering their crewmates. This incident marked the first such transfer from South Korea to North Korea since the Korean War, though subsequent images showed one man resisting the handover with evident desperation.

In summary, South Korean lawmaker Yu Yong-weon’s meeting with captured North Korean soldiers highlights their aspiration for a new life in the South, where they would be recognized as citizens. The implications of returning these prisoners to North Korea pose severe humanitarian concerns, particularly given the risks they face upon capture. As the situation develops, the actions of the South Korean government reflect broader issues of human rights and aid for defectors.

Original Source: www.voanews.com