North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine are said to be suffering

Two North Korean soldiers who were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Russian region of Kursk earlier this year have requested to be transferred to South Korea. According to South Korean media, they mentioned this during the filming of a documentary, in which they asked the producers at the end of the interview to help them get “to the South.”

Both men are said to be in a mentally unstable state and have attempted to harm themselves. According to the Ukrajinska pravda portal, the prisoners also asked for medicine, clothing, and books, while portraits of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hang in their room.

The Korean constitution considers all Koreans, including residents of the DPRK, to be citizens of South Korea, which is why Seoul has expressed its willingness to accept the prisoners if their intentions are confirmed.

The two were arrested in January during the fighting in Kharkiv, where, according to Ukrainian forces, they were carrying fake Russian IDs. Their case raises once again the question of North Korean involvement on the Russian side in this conflict.

(lup)