NK Defectors Deliver Leaflets to Ukraine Targeting NK Soldiers in Russia

News Summary

The group known as the "Defectors' Propaganda Corps," made up of former North Korean soldiers who defected and defectors with sons who served in the North Korean military, handed over propaganda leaflets to the Embassy of Ukraine in Seoul.

The leaflets, containing messages encouraging North Korean troops to defect and instructions on how to defect, were intended for distribution to North Korean soldiers in Russia.

Later in the day (local time), the group's leader, Jang Se Yul, was set to distribute similar leaflets to Ukrainian military officials in Brussels, Belgium, along with a letter recommending Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to employ psychological tactics against North Korean soldiers.

Jang would emphasize in the letter that "the Ukrainian military could secure mass surrender and defection among North Korean soldiers if proactive psychological warfare is mobilized."

Commentary

North Korean defectors understand the most effective approach to dealing with North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia: encouraging them to defect by telling them the truth. This is because they have firsthand experience of defection by having been told the truth.

It appears that over ten thousand North Korean soldiers in Russia could present a significant threat to Ukraine, but as Jang said, convincing them to surrender and defect could be easier than anticipated.

Since the majority of these soldiers are young, in their teens and twenties, and are stationed in a foreign country under the threat of death, distributing leaflets containing messages about defection and instructions on how to defect could be the most effective psychological warfare strategy for achieving mass surrender and defection.

Although North Korean soldiers seem to be tough and well disciplined outwardly, their inward strength is very weak and fragile. If they are presented with a way to escape to a life of freedom, especially under the threat of death in war, they will be easily swayed to surrender and defect.

In addition to the initiatives of human rights groups, it is essential for the South Korean government to enhance collaboration with the Ukrainian government to promote the defection of North Korean soldiers. This approach will prove to be much more economical and effective than providing Ukraine with lethal weapons.