The Guardian: "Captured North Korean Soldier in Ukraine Prefers South Korea... Survival Not Guaranteed if Sent to North"

"Going to South Korea Is the Best Option... Concerns Over Punishment if Repatriated to North Korea"
"Uncertainty Remains Over Whether They Will Actually Choose South Korea"

A North Korean soldier captured by the Ukrainian military in the western Kursk region of Russia. The face is pixelated for personal safety. Zelensky ex

There is an analysis that living a new life in South Korea is the best option for North Korean soldiers captured in the Ukraine war, as their survival is unlikely to be guaranteed if they are repatriated to the North.

On the 13th (local time), the British media outlet The Guardian reported, "If North Korean soldiers are captured as prisoners, there are even reports that they may commit suicide out of fear that their families will be retaliated against or execute their own comrades to prevent surrender," adding, "It may be difficult to protect human rights if North Korean soldiers are sent back to North Korea."

Currently, Ukraine has stated that it may release the North Korean soldiers it has captured on the condition that Russia hands over its own troops detained by Russian forces. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X (formerly Twitter), "We are prepared to hand over North Korean soldiers to Kim Jong-un only if Kim Jong-un can push for an exchange of Ukrainian war prisoners detained by Russia and North Korean soldiers." Those captured during hostilities between hostile countries in war are generally classified as prisoners of war. Therefore, it is commonly viewed that they are subject to prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia.

Regarding this, Shin Hee-seok, a legal analyst at the Transition Justice Working Group (TJWG), a North Korean human rights organization, said, "Sending North Korean soldiers back, where they are likely to be punished as traitors, is a measure against human rights." Shin added, "The repatriation of North Korean soldiers contradicts Ukraine’s claim that it is fighting Russia to protect democracy and freedom," and said, "The international community should persuade Ukraine not to repatriate North Korean soldiers."

North Korean soldier ID captured in Ukraine. Zelensky X Yonhap News Photo by X

However, The Guardian analyzed that "it is uncertain whether North Korean soldiers will actually choose to go to South Korea." Unlike North Korean residents who have long prepared after deciding to defect on their own, it is pointed out that North Korean soldiers currently have probably never considered going to South Korea, which is 'enemy territory.' Nevertheless, considering the possibility of survival if they return to North Korea, the media concluded that "going to South Korea is the best option."

Meanwhile, if North Korea and Russia, which have not officially confirmed the dispatch of troops, do not verify the affiliation of these soldiers until the end, it may be difficult to grant them prisoner status under international law. Also, even if they are granted prisoner status under international law, if they face threats of oppression and punishment upon returning to their country, they may be considered exceptions to the obligation of repatriation. Accordingly, depending on the wishes of the North Korean soldiers themselves, they may remain in Ukraine or go to a third country.