TAIPEI, Taiwan – A man who a pro-Ukraine group identified as a South Korean soldier fighting for Ukraine urged North Korean “brothers” deployed to help Russia to surrender, promising a new life for those that do.
South Korea has prohibited its citizens from going to Ukraine to help it fend off Russia’s invasion and prosecuted at least one man for doing so but that has apparently not prevented some from making the journey.
The unidentified man shown in a video appealing to North Koreans spoke with a South Korean accent and clearly had Asian features, despite being masked.
“My brothers, you and I are from the same people, we have the same blood, we come from the same country. We are only divided by a border that you didn’t choose,” said the man in an unmarked uniform, standing in front of an armored HUMMV combat truck in a video released by the pro-Ukrainian InformNapalm website.
The man urged North Korean soldiers to “save their lives and desert” and promised those who reach Ukrainian lines would be given “new lives” in a democratic country.
“North Korean soldiers are fighting on Russia’s side for no reason and unless they quit the ranks of their unit, they will likely die as cannon fodder thrown against Ukrainian defenses,” the man said.
“Soldiers surrendering to Ukrainian forces, will be able to build a new life in freedom, to be happy, protected and not to be afraid of tomorrow,” he added.
“We will not just receive you, we will help you start a new life. Here you will receive support, work, the chance to live with dignity, so that you could begin your life path anew.”
Radio Free Asia has not been able to independently verify the video.
In March, Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced that 15 South Koreans had participated in combat on the Ukrainian side over the past two years, five of whom had reportedly been killed.
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Although South Korea has never announced that any of its citizens were fighting in Ukraine, a former captain of South Korea’s Navy Special Warfare Flotilla was convicted in August last year, after his return from Ukraine, on charges of violating the Passport Act.
YouTuber Ken Rhee set off for Ukraine in March 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion, and joined foreign troops there supporting Ukrainian forces.
The U.S. and South Korea estimate that more than 10,000 North Koreans have been sent to Russia to help it with its war against Ukraine.
The have said that the North Koreans have been fighting in Russia’s southwestern Kursk border region against Ukrainian forces who occupied parts of it in early August.
Separately, Ukrainian military information platforms on Wednesday cited Ukrainian intelligence as saying about 12,000 North Korean soldiers have deployed to Kursk and were undergoing pre-battle training.
Neither Russia nor North Korea have confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia.
Edited by RFA Staff.