A North Korean soldier captured in Ukraine revealed that his officers made him believe he was fighting against South Korean troops, Chosun Ilbo reported on Wednesday.
Identified only as Ri, the soldier said he was unaware he would be sent into combat in Ukraine and that his goal now is to reach South Korea. According to his testimony, he was told that Ukrainian drone operators were South Korean soldiers, leading him to believe he was fighting against Seoul.
Ri suffered severe injuries to his jaw and arm. He stated that nearly all of his battalion, between 63 and 65 soldiers, were killed by Ukrainian drone and artillery attacks. He also admitted that if he had had a grenade, he would have taken his own life rather than be captured, as being a prisoner of war is considered treason in North Korea.
Now, he fears for his future and wants to seek asylum in South Korea. “I’m 80% sure of my decision. If I apply for refugee status, will they accept me?” he asked in the interview. This marks the first time a North Korean soldier captured in Ukraine has expressed a desire to defect to the South.
In January, Ukraine released a video showing two North Korean soldiers captured in Kursk. One of them expressed his intention to remain in Ukraine, a move that could be deemed treason by Pyongyang. Kyiv has shown interest in negotiating their repatriation in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Meanwhile, Seoul claims that Pyongyang has ordered its troops deployed in Russia to take their own lives if they risk being captured. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Ukraine to ensure humane treatment for North Korean prisoners, warning that if they are sent back, they could face severe repercussions.
According to Kyiv, around 5,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in three months of fighting in Kursk out of a contingent of 11,000 to 12,000. South Korean intelligence estimates at least 300 deaths and 2,700 injuries.
On February 4, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported that North Korean troops stopped fighting in Kursk in mid-January. Ukrainian and U.S. sources indicate they were withdrawn due to high casualties and may now be receiving additional training from the Russian military.
