Two North Korean POWs in Ukraine Express Desire to Start New Life in South Korea

Two North Korean prisoners of war held by Ukraine have expressed their desire to start a new life in South Korea, according to a letter obtained by AFP. The two men, captured by Kyiv since January after sustaining battlefield injuries, had previously been reported to be seeking defection, but this letter marks the first time they publicly articulated their intentions in their own words.

In the letter, dated late October and shared with AFP by a Seoul-based rights group, the prisoners wrote that “thanks to the support of the South Korean people, new dreams and aspirations have begun to take root.” They emphasized their gratitude toward those assisting them and described their situation not as a tragedy but as the start of a new chapter in their lives.

North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine, with at least 600 soldiers killed and thousands more injured, according to South Korean estimates. In return, analysts say Pyongyang has received financial aid, military technology, and supplies of food and energy from Russia. South Korea’s intelligence agencies also note that North Korean soldiers are instructed to commit suicide rather than be captured.

In their letter, the prisoners conveyed deep appreciation for the support they have received, stating, “We firmly believe that we are never alone, and we think of those in South Korea as our own parents and siblings and have decided to go into their embrace.” AFP withheld the names of the soldiers to protect their safety.

The letter highlights the human dimension of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the rare cases of defection by North Korean soldiers seeking safety and a new beginning in South Korea.