North Korean Soldier Prisoner: "They Said We Would Train as International Students... I Want to Go to Korea"

"I want to apply for refugee status and go to South Korea" mentioned;
realization of defection uncertain

A North Korean prisoner of war who was deployed to Russia and captured by the Ukrainian military expressed his desire to "go to South Korea." On the 19th, Chosun Ilbo released an interview with Ri Mo (26), a North Korean soldier captured by the Ukrainian military last month. In the interview, Ri said, "I am 80% decided," and added, "I plan to apply for refugee status and go to the Republic of Korea." This is the first time a North Korean prisoner of war has expressed the intention to go to South Korea.

A North Korean soldier who was deployed to Russia and captured by Ukrainian forces expressed his desire to "go to South Korea." On the 19th, Chosun Ilbo published an interview with Ri Mo (26), a North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces last month.

Ri is one of two North Korean prisoners of war whose photos were released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the 11th of last month (local time) on X (formerly Twitter). The other is known to be a 20-year-old rifleman. Ri, who identified himself as a "sniper soldier belonging to the Reconnaissance General Bureau," said that during his deployment, he was deceived by a Security Department (North Korean intelligence agency) agent who told him that "all the drone operators are South Korean soldiers," and thus fought with the mindset that he was fighting South Korean soldiers. It is said that one or two Security Department agents were assigned to each battalion of about 500 soldiers to control the ideology of the North Korean troops.

Ri left North Korea in early October last year and trained in Vladivostok, Russia, before being deployed to the Kursk region battle in mid-December. He said that he had no contact with his family for three months before coming to Russia, so his parents were unaware of his deployment.

When asked what he was told before coming to Russia, Ri replied, "I was told I was training as an overseas student. I did not know I would participate in combat." He said he only learned about his combat participation after arriving in Kursk and was deployed to the battlefield from the 5th of last month. Ri, who suffered severe gunshot wounds to his chin and arm, revealed that almost all of his comrades in the unit deployed with him were killed by drone and artillery fire.

He continued, "The drone attacked, and the people who saved me one by one died, and I was the only one who survived," adding, "All five of us were completely sacrificed." When asked if he was ordered to self-destruct if captured, he answered, "In the People's Army, being a prisoner is equivalent to betrayal," and said he might have self-destructed if he had a grenade. Ri expressed concern, saying, "If it becomes known to our government that I am a prisoner, my father and mother will not be able to stay in Pyongyang." When asked if he would face various hardships even if he returned to the North now, he replied, "Of course."

"I want to apply for refugee status and go to South Korea" mentioned; realization of defection uncertain

Mr. Lee responded to the question, "What story did you hear that made you come to Russia?" by saying, "I was told I would be training as an international student. I did not know I would participate in combat." He said he only learned about his participation in the battle after arriving in Kursk and was deployed to the battlefield starting from the 5th of last month. X (Ex)

With a North Korean prisoner of war directly expressing his intention to defect, attention is also focused on the response of our government. On the 14th of last month, Lee Jae-woong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing, "Since North Korean soldiers are our citizens under the constitution, we plan to consult with Ukraine if they request defection." Earlier, on the 13th of last month, the National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee, saying, "Since North Korean soldiers are our citizens under constitutional values, the intention of the captured North Korean soldiers is the most important," and that they would actively consult with Ukraine if defection intentions are expressed. It is reported that the government plans to confirm Ri's true intentions regarding defection before consulting with Ukraine.

Meanwhile, some predict that, under international law regarding prisoners of war, the process of bringing North Korean prisoners of war into the country may not be smooth. The Geneva Conventions stipulate that "prisoners captured during hostilities must be released and repatriated to their home country immediately after the war ends." Since North Korea has not acknowledged its troops' participation, the prisoners may first be repatriated to Russia and then sent to North Korea. However, since Ri, whose identity has been disclosed, has expressed a desire to go to South Korea, returning him to North Korea could pose serious human rights risks. Therefore, there are claims that this may fall under exceptions to the obligation of prisoner repatriation according to the "International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Commentary on the Third Geneva Convention."