DPRK soldiers captured in Ukraine ask to be transferred to South Korea

Captured North Korean servicemen want a "normal life" in the South, as reported during an interview for a documentary, UNN reports with reference to AFP.

Details

DPRK military personnel who fought on Russia's side against Ukraine have requested to be transferred to South Korea. The corresponding request was made during an interview for a documentary.

It became known in the winter of 2025 that captured DPRK representatives wanted a "normal life" in the South. This time, it was reiterated once again.

The interview was organized by Jang Se-yul, director of the Gyeore-eol Nation United organization. Here's what she confirmed:

At the end of the interview, both men asked the producer to take them to the South

Returning to North Korea would be a "death sentence" for both men. According to South Korean intelligence, Pyongyang's military has orders to commit suicide to avoid capture.

South Korea's constitution, on the other hand, stipulates that all Koreans, including North Koreans, are full citizens.

Recall

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed a video of captured North Korean soldiers communicating with SBU investigators.

North Korean military personnel were not included in the prisoner exchange in the spring of 2025. Both fear execution upon returning to the DPRK, and South Korea is ready to accept them.