Captured North Korean Soldier Desires a Normal Life in South Korea

South Korean lawmaker Yu Yong-weon revealed that a captured North Korean soldier expressed a desire to live a “normal life” in South Korea. This follows the South’s promise to grant citizenship to North Korean troops amid their deployment to assist Russia in Ukraine. Yu emphasized the serious consequences of returning these soldiers to the North, given their orders to avoid capture at all costs.

A South Korean lawmaker, Yu Yong-weon, stated that a North Korean soldier who was captured in Ukraine expressed a desire to live a “normal life” in South Korea. This revelation follows Seoul’s commitment to offering citizenship to North Korean troops, as the National Intelligence Service noted that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been deployed by Kim Jong Un to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.

During a recent press conference, Yu recounted his emotional encounter with the two North Korean soldiers currently held in Ukrainian detention. One soldier articulated hopes for moving to South Korea to eventually reunite with his parents, inquiring about the possibility of living freely, owning a home, and starting a family in the South.

According to South Korean constitutional law, all Koreans, including those residing in North Korea, are recognized as citizens. Yu asserted that returning captured North Korean soldiers to the North would effectively amount to a “death sentence,” as they are often instructed to take their own lives should they be captured by the enemy. Amidst these discussions, he highlighted the dire consequences facing North Korean troops who surrender.

Yu added that even as prisoners of war, these soldiers are entitled to constitutional protections as South Korean citizens. In a historical context, he referenced the controversial expulsion of two North Korean men in 2019, who were previously implicated in the murder of their crewmates before attempting to defect to the South. New images surfaced later, illustrating one individual’s desperate resistance during the handover process.

The situation regarding North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine reveals a complex intersection of humanitarian considerations and constitutional rights. With South Korea’s government affirming the citizenship rights of these individuals, it raises pertinent questions about the treatment of defectors and the dire predicaments faced by North Korean troops. Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon’s insights reflect profound emotional and legal implications associated with these soldiers’ desires for a new life in the South.

Original Source: www.voanews.com