"If I Return to North Korea, My Parents Will Already Be Gone"...Yoo Yongwon Urges Repatriation Efforts for North Korean POWs in Ukraine

Two North Korean Prisoners of War Excluded from Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange

Two North Korean soldiers who either expressed their intention to defect to South Korea or were considering it have reportedly been excluded from the Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange list. Yoo Yongwon, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, stated, "Even if they are North Korean prisoners of war, according to Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, they are clearly our citizens," and urged, "Please make every diplomatic effort until the end so that they can set foot on the free land of the Republic of Korea."

According to information confirmed by Representative Yoo's office from a Ukrainian source on May 27, two North Korean soldiers, surnamed Lee and Baek, who were captured by the Ukrainian military in January, were excluded from the Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange list. Previously, Russia and Ukraine conducted their largest prisoner exchange since the outbreak of the war, exchanging 1,000 prisoners each between May 23 and 25.

Despite North Korea's recent reversal of its previous stance and official announcement of its participation in the Russia-Ukraine war, these prisoners were excluded from the exchange list. According to Representative Yoo, another Ukrainian source stated, "It is understood that their exclusion from this prisoner exchange was in response to a request from the South Korean government, to which the Ukrainian government agreed."

Representative Yoo visited Ukraine in February and confirmed the situation of Lee and Baek. According to Yoo, Lee clearly expressed his intention to defect to South Korea, and Baek was also experiencing a change of heart. Yoo stated, "Our government has repeatedly declared its position that 'if the individuals wish, we will accept all of them,' and Ukraine has also clearly expressed its willingness to cooperate, but in reality, we have not yet been able to move them," adding, "There is growing urgent concern that, with the sharp interests and complex political calculations of each country, they may end up being repatriated to North Korea."

Yoo further emphasized, "However, according to Article 3 of the Constitution, they are clearly our citizens, and protecting the lives and freedom of our people is a national duty that must take precedence over any diplomatic considerations," and added, "Bringing them to South Korea is not simply a matter of humanitarianism, but an important issue that will serve as a litmus test for how the Republic of Korea implements the value of human rights in the international community."

Yoo earnestly appealed, "I sincerely request the authorities of our government: even if the reality is difficult, do not give up until the end, and make every diplomatic effort so that they can set foot on the free land of the Republic of Korea."

On this day, Yoo also released additional statements from North Korean prisoner Lee that had not been disclosed before. According to materials provided by Yoo, Lee said regarding the possibility of being repatriated to North Korea through a Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange, "If I, as a prisoner now, were to be exchanged and sent back to my homeland (North Korea)... my parents would probably already have been (executed) and would no longer be alive," adding, "When I think about that, I feel drained all day."

Yoo stated, "If Lee is repatriated to North Korea, he already anticipates a tragic end for himself and his parents," and emphasized, "Now it is time for the Republic of Korea to respond so that Lee's cries do not remain as empty echoes."