Captured North Korean Soldier Expresses Desire to Defect to South Korea
A captured North Korean soldier wishes to defect to South Korea, seeking rights and a better life. He expressed desires to reunite with family and receive medical help, while the South Korean government is prepared to assist his defection. Another soldier is uncertain about his path, with Ri highlighting extreme measures taken by soldiers facing capture.
A North Korean soldier, identified by his surname Ri, who has been captured by Ukrainian forces, expressed a strong desire to defect to South Korea during discussions with South Korean lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon. Ri inquired about his potential rights in South Korea, specifically whether he could “live as I wish with the rights” he hopes for, and he expressed a longing to reunite with his parents. He has sustained serious injuries, which have impacted his speech, leading him to ask about medical assistance in South Korea.
Yu made remarks following his recent trip to Ukraine, where he shared an audio recording of his conversation with Ri, indicating the soldier’s wish to seek treatment and a better life. The South Korean government has signaled its readiness to support Ri if he formally requests to move to South Korea. Meanwhile, another soldier, surnamed Paek, has expressed the need for additional time to contemplate his decision regarding defection.
Ri has reflected on the harsh realities faced by North Korean soldiers, revealing that many opt for self-destruction rather than capture, which they perceive as an act of betrayal. Yu highlighted the importance of ensuring that captured North Korean soldiers are not forcibly returned to their home country, advocating for diplomatic measures to protect them from potential repatriation.
The case of the captured North Korean soldier, Ri, emphasizes the complex dilemmas faced by soldiers from oppressive regimes seeking freedom. His expressed desire to defect to South Korea, along with the willingness of the South Korean government to assist him, reflects the ongoing challenges surrounding the treatment of defectors. It also raises critical discussions about military service, personal choice, and the implications of capture in conflict zones.
Original Source: www.koreatimes.co.kr
