"I Want to Go to South Korea. If Sent Back to North Korea, My Entire Family Will Be Wiped Out" North Korean POWs in Russia-Ukraine War Break Down in Tears Before Producers

"If I go back to North Korea, my entire family will be exterminated... They will wipe out my bloodline"
"Like a mother to us... Some even shed tears when the production team left"

"I desperately want to go to South Korea, but I can only go if they let me." (North Korean POW Lee)

"My resolve to go to South Korea has only grown stronger. I hope they understand how I feel and help me." (North Korean POW Paek)

North Korean soldiers, who were deployed to fight with Russian forces and later captured by the Ukrainian military, have once again expressed their strong desire to go to South Korea, consistent with their initial testimonies. Their stance remains unchanged, even after about a year has passed since their capture by Ukrainian forces in February of last year.

North Korean prisoner of war Paek captured by Ukrainian forces. YouTube MBC PD Notebook capture

On the 27th, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's "PD Notebook" aired part two of "The Russia-Ukraine War and the North Korean Army," titled "Endless War." This episode featured follow-up interviews with the North Korean prisoners of war who appeared in part one.

Lee, who was captured by Ukrainian forces in February of last year, said, "From the very beginning, I said I wanted to go to South Korea. I wish I could go, but even if I want to, I can't. I desperately want to go and see it for myself, but I can only go if they let me. I would be grateful if they took me, but if they don't, there's nothing I can do."

When asked by the production team how he would feel if he couldn't go to South Korea, he replied, "If they don't take me, I have no choice but to die. People from other countries might not understand. They probably won't understand why I would die because of this," he said with a bitter smile.

Another North Korean POW, Paek, also reiterated his strong desire to go to South Korea. Paek said, "Now, I am certain that I have to go to South Korea. (But) just because I want to go doesn't mean I can. My resolve is firm now. I hope they understand how I feel and help me."

"If I go back to North Korea, my entire family will be exterminated... They will wipe out my bloodline"

They also explained that if they are unable to go to South Korea, both they and their families would face severe consequences.

When asked by the production team, "Would something bad happen if you returned to North Korea?" Lee responded, "It's not just something bad. My entire family, for three generations, would be exterminated. If they kill me, they don't just kill me, they wipe out my entire bloodline," he said with concern.

Lee, a North Korean soldier captured by the Ukrainian military. YouTube MBC PD Notebook screenshot

They also shared their experiences of life in the Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camp. They mentioned that the meals served in the camp are not to their taste and are different from North Korean food, so they only eat a little when there is something familiar to them.

When asked what the most difficult part was, they replied, "I want to go outside and exercise a bit. Since all I can do is lie down all the time, I feel like I might get depressed."

"Like a mother to us... Some even shed tears when the production team left"

When the production team, on behalf of the defector community, showed the POWs Korean food they had prepared, smiles appeared on their faces. The dishes included kimbap, pickled vegetables, and kimchi-foods also commonly enjoyed in North Korea.

As they shared the food, the prisoners, who had been wary at the start of the interview, began to ask the production team various questions. They were curious about things like, "How is the weather in South Korea compared to Ukraine?" and "Can you tell us how the current situation in the Russia-Ukraine war is unfolding?"

North Korean prisoners of war Lee and Baek captured by the Ukrainian military. YouTube MBC PD Notebook capture

Lee said, "I'm curious whether North Korean news has reported that we were deployed like this. If they have, then the day I have to return to North Korea may not be far off. It's only natural that the date of repatriation is approaching, so I've been very worried." This seems to indicate his desire to go to South Korea before the date of repatriation to North Korea arrives.

Paek, who received a letter from the defector community, wrote a reply expressing his gratitude. In his letter, Paek wrote, "I have received your warm-hearted letter. If I make it to South Korea, I will thank you in person. With the support of the Korean people, new dreams and aspirations have begun to blossom in me."

Lee, a North Korean soldier captured by the Ukrainian army, is saying farewell to the production team. YouTube MBC PD Notebook capture

As visiting hours came to an end, Lee and Paek expressed their regret, asking, "Does this mean you won't be able to come again?" Lee told the production team, "I don't want to let you go. You feel like a mother to me," his eyes welling with tears. Paek also cried when told to take care of himself.