South Korea Will Welcome Any North Korean Soldiers in Ukraine Who Wish to Defect

News Summary

The South Korean government announced on Wednesday that it will accept any North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) in Ukraine who choose to defect, reiterating its dedication to offering them the necessary protection.

The news was released just hours after local media revealed that a North Korean soldier detained in Ukraine had expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea.

"Under the Constitution, North Korean soldiers are recognized as our nationals. Respecting an individual's free will in matters of prisoner repatriation aligns with international law and related practices. No individual should be forcibly returned to a place where they face risk of persecution," an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Commentary

This announcement will act as a nuclear bomb detonating within the North Korean military and society, shaking its foundations and ultimately accelerating the collapse of the Kim regime.

If the North Korean soldier detained in Ukraine successfully transfers and settles in South Korea, news of his defection could inspire more North Korean soldiers to dream of a new life in their neighboring country.

The Kim regime's greatest fear has always been the spread of stories about North Korean defectors thriving in South Korea—until now, these have mostly been accounts of ordinary citizens.

However, if a soldier, forcibly sent to fight in a foreign war as cannon fodder, finds refuge in South Korea and becomes a beacon of hope for those still suffering in the North, the impact could be unprecedented.