A North Korean prisoner of war has become the first from his country captured in Ukraine to seek asylum in South Korea, with experts suggesting it could spark a flood of similar requests and force Pyongyang to reconsider its role in a conflict far beyond its borders.
The 26-year-old POW, surnamed Ri, is one of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces. In his first interview with the Korean press, Ri told the Chosun newspaper that he was almost certain about defecting.
“I’m about 80 per cent sure about my decision,” Ri said in the interview published on Wednesday. “Most importantly, I want to seek refuge in the Republic of Korea. If I apply for asylum, will they accept me?” he said, referencing South Korea’s official name.
Professor Kim Jee-yong, an expert in international relations at the Republic of Korea Naval Academy, said he believed that granting Ri asylum could set off a “domino effect”, with other North Korean POWs following suit.
“This would force North Korea to reconsider its continued participation in the war,” Kim told This Week in Asia.
A government official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said on Wednesday that North Korean soldiers were South Korean citizens under the South’s constitution, which defined all Koreans – whether they lived in the North or South – as citizens of the Republic of Korea.
“Respecting their free will is also in line with international law and practices, and they must not [be] sent back to their country where they would face persecution,” the official said.
“We have conveyed this position to the Ukrainian side, and we plan to conduct necessary consultations”, he added.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) had also indicated its readiness to work with Ukraine should any North Korean POWs wish to defect.
“The will of North Korean POWs would take precedence,” the NIS reported to the National Assembly last month, emphasising that the individuals were considered South Korean citizens.
However, some analysts have cautioned that international law could complicate efforts.
The Geneva Conventions call for POWs to be repatriated to their home country at the end of hostilities.
Since North Korea had denied its involvement in the war, POWs would, in theory, be sent to Russia first before being returned home.
Professor Yang Moo-jin, a political scientist at the University of North Korean Studies, argued that humanitarian concerns should take priority in Ri’s case.
“Given that he has publicly expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea, rather than return to a regime where he would face harsh punishment, his wish should be respected,” Yang said.
“However, this could heighten tensions on the Korean peninsula. North Korea would strongly oppose such a move, and South Korea’s relations with Russia could also deteriorate,” Yang warned.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, proposed that South Korea and Ukraine consider the 73 asylum cases involving North Korean prisoners of war who, after the Korean war in 1953, were allowed to settle in third countries for humanitarian reasons, instead of returning to North Korea or South Korea.
“If Ukraine cooperates, these individuals could be granted refugee status in South Korea instead of defecting, thereby avoiding potential legal complications,” Hong said.
Ri said in the interview that he had been misled by his superiors, who told him he would be sent to Russia for training when North Korea deployed around 11,000 troops to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Ri was one of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces last month, after being wounded during a battle in Kursk, suffering severe injuries to his right arm and jaw.
Seven of his fellow soldiers died in the same attack.
Ri had been fighting Ukraine’s forces under the belief that he was battling South Korean troops, even though Seoul had not sent any soldiers to Ukraine.
“Officials from North Korea’s State Security Ministry said that all Ukrainian drones are operated by South Korean soldiers,” Ri recalled.
“I joined the combat on January 5. The first wave of troops suffered heavy losses from drone strikes and artillery fire. We relied on Russian artillery support, but their fire often missed the mark, resulting in unnecessary casualties.”
“Given the chance, I would have blown myself up. Being captured is seen as a betrayal in the North,” Ri said.
Despite the trauma of his military service, Ri said he had dreamed of attending college after his discharge.
“My family has always struggled financially, and the military life was tough. But now, having barely survived, I’m a prisoner.”
He added, sighing, “I just want to live up to my parents’ expectations and pursue my dream. I’m still young – I want to see my future blossom.”