Russia's Call to Bring Home North Korean Troops Exposed

South Korean Lawmaker Exposes North Korean Soldiers on Russia’s Repatriation List

A South Korean lawmaker, Yu Yong-weon of the People Power Party, disclosed on the 3rd that Russia’s “repatriation request list” during prisoner exchanges with Ukraine had included two North Korean soldiers multiple times. This revelation marks the first official confirmation of such a claim, despite previous speculations about North Korea potentially requesting their repatriation through Russia.

Yu, who visited Ukraine from the 24th to the 26th of last month and met with parliamentary officials, held a press conference at the National Assembly. He stated, “We confirmed for the first time through Ukrainian sources that North Korean soldiers who clearly expressed their intention to defect to South Korea were repeatedly included in Russia’s prisoner repatriation list.”

Lim (27) and Baek (22), North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces in January of last year after being deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, have repeatedly stated in interviews, including with Chosun Ilbo, that they “want to go to South Korea.” They also expressed fear of being sent back to North Korea, saying, “We will be executed if we return.” It is now revealed that Russia actually demanded their repatriation.

Yu emphasized, “There is a risk that North Korean prisoners of war could be forcibly repatriated. The government must send a special envoy to Ukraine before it’s too late to push for their transfer to South Korea.”

North Korean POWs Repeatedly Expressed Desire to Go to South Korea… Government Should Send Envoy

Since the first half of last year, when Ukraine’s capture of North Korean soldiers became known, the South Korean government has stated, “North Korean soldiers are our citizens under the Constitution,” and has been working to repatriate them. Park Il, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, responded to a related question during a regular briefing on the 10th of last month, saying, “We will provide necessary protection and support according to the basic principle and relevant laws that forced repatriation to Russia or North Korea is absolutely unacceptable. We have continuously conveyed this stance to Ukraine.”

However, as repatriation negotiations have not progressed for over a year, concerns are growing that the North Korean soldiers could be sent back. According to a report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Ukraine received 5,863 prisoners of war through 70 prisoner exchanges with Russia between the war’s outbreak in February 2022 and December 1 of last year. Dozens of additional exchanges occurred publicly and privately last year. Amid ongoing large-scale exchanges, some in Ukraine reportedly argue that North Korean soldiers should be handed over to Russia in exchange for Ukrainian nationals. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is personally overseeing the deployment issue, making it likely that Russia will prioritize the North Korean POW matter in negotiations with Ukraine.

Yu met the North Korean soldiers during a visit to Ukraine in February of last year. However, this time, he was unable to meet them due to a refusal from the Ukrainian presidential office. Yu confirmed through local parliamentarians that the two North Korean soldiers are still in a local detention center. No additional North Korean soldiers are known to be present.

North Korea educates soldiers deployed to Russia that POWs are “traitors” and orders them to self-destruct with grenades if captured. The two North Korean soldiers reportedly attempted extreme actions due to fear of execution if forcibly repatriated. International laws, including the Refugee Convention and the Convention Against Torture, prohibit “refoulement,” which forbids repatriation or extradition to countries where life or freedom may be threatened. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), responsible for protecting POWs under the Geneva Third Convention, stated in a 2020 commentary that POWs who oppose repatriation and face substantial threats to their basic rights in their home country should not be repatriated.

Even if a ceasefire occurs between Russia and Ukraine, North Korea may still demand the immediate repatriation of the two soldiers. Article 118 of the Geneva Third Convention stipulates that POWs must be released and repatriated without delay after active hostilities end.

Yu stated, “This issue ultimately requires political decisions and consultations between the two countries’ leaders. Ukrainian lawmakers I met emphasized this point. I strongly request President Lee Jae Myung to promptly dispatch a presidential envoy to Ukraine before it’s too late.”

North Korea’s Military Involvement in the Conflict

Meanwhile, Yu revealed on the same day that as of February of this year, four North Korean special forces brigades, totaling over 10,000 soldiers, are stationed in the Kursk region. He added that Ukrainian military authorities are currently verifying intelligence that North Korea is preparing to deploy an additional 30,000 troops. Yu urged, “As North Korean soldiers gain combat experience in the Russia-Ukraine war, the government should urgently dispatch a combat analysis team.”

Yu estimated that North Korea has supplied approximately 7.1 million artillery shells and 148 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles to Russia, with a possibility of an additional 400,000 rocket rounds. He also confirmed that North Korean 107mm and 240mm multiple rocket launchers have already been used in combat. North Korea reportedly provided 166 107mm rocket launchers, 94 122mm guns, 96 140mm mortars, 120 170mm self-propelled guns, and 120 240mm rocket launchers to Russia.