North Korean soldier's plea: Seeking asylum in South Korea
North Korean soldiers in Russia believed they were fighting the South Korean army. One of them shared this information in an interview with "Chosun Ilbo". The soldier, who became a prisoner of war in Ukraine, is considering seeking asylum in South Korea.
North Korean soldiers dispatched to the front line in the Kursk region of Russia were misinformed about their opponent. As one soldier revealed in a conversation with the South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo, they were told that they were combating the South Korean army.
Soldiers caught in misinformation
A North Korean soldier, identified only as Ri, admitted he was unaware that he would be fighting against Ukraine. He was informed that travelling to Russia was for "foreign training." He arrived in the Kursk region in December of the previous year, where he underwent basic training that lacked strategies for dealing with drones.
Ri disclosed that according to North Korea's Ministry of Security, Ukrainian drones were being controlled by South Korean soldiers. In battles that commenced on 5th January, the initial wave of soldiers endured heavy losses due to drone attacks and artillery shelling.
Dramatic experiences of North Korean soldiers on the front line
The 26-year-old soldier was seriously injured and blamed Russian artillery for the "unnecessary casualties" as it did not provide sufficient support. Ri confessed that all his comrades were killed, and he survived purely by chance.
In an interview with "Chosun Ilbo," Ri admitted that being captured is considered treason in the North Korean army. He had served as a reconnaissance sniper since 2015 and had plans to pursue studies after his military service concluded.
Asylum in South Korea?
Ri is contemplating applying for asylum in South Korea.
I have made up my mind 80 percent ... Above all, I will seek refuge and am thinking about going to the Republic of Korea - he said.
The Ukrainian army reported that on 11th January at 00:00 GMT, it captured two North Korean soldiers. The government in Seoul confirmed that it would accept all North Korean prisoners of war from Ukraine.
North Korean soldiers are our nationals according to the Constitution - said an anonymous official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, quoted by Yonhap news agency.
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