A South Korean man who has joined the volunteer army in Ukraine to resist Russia is urging North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia to surrender. He is appealing to these “brothers” of the same ethnicity to seek a new life in democratic countries and not become cannon fodder in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
According to reports from Radio Free Asia, an unidentified man released a video in Korean on a pro-Ukraine website, addressing North Korean soldiers in a psychological warfare plea. Even though he wore a face mask, it was apparent that he had an Asian appearance.
The man expressed, “Brothers, we are of the same nation, we share the same blood, we come from the same country. We are only separated by a border that you didn’t choose.”
He urged the North Korean soldiers to “save their lives by escaping,” claiming that those who surrender on the Ukrainian frontlines will gain a “new life” in democratic countries.
He stated, “North Korean soldiers have no reason to be fighting on Russia’s side. Unless they desert the army, they are likely to end up as cannon fodder attacking the Ukrainian lines.”
He added, “Soldiers who surrender to the Ukrainian forces will be able to establish a new life in freedom, live happily, be protected, and not fear for tomorrow.”
He continued, “We will not only welcome you but also help you start a new life. Here, you will have support, work, opportunities to live with dignity, so you can start your life anew.”
South Korea has banned its citizens from going to Ukraine to assist in countering Russia’s aggression and has prosecuted at least one individual who did so, but this has seemingly not deterred others from joining the fight.
Ken Rhee, a retired naval officer in the South Korean Navy, is one of the well-known figures who have joined the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Shortly after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in March 2022, he joined a foreign legion in Ukraine to aid the country against Russia.
In March this year, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that over the past two years, 15 South Koreans had assisted Ukraine in countering Russia, with five of them having died in action.
The United States and South Korea estimate that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia to assist in its conflict with Ukraine. Ukraine, citing intelligence, stated that approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in the Kursk region of Russia and have received pre-war training.