Human rights groups are urging Ukraine to allow captured North Korean soldiers the option to seek refuge in South Korea, warning that repatriation would likely lead to severe punishment or death. This plea arises from the capture of two soldiers in Russia, where a potential exchange could violate international law. As North Korea deepens military ties with Russia, the impact of this alliance on human rights and regional stability remains critical.
Human rights organizations are urging Ukraine to permit North Korean soldiers captured in conflict to seek refuge in South Korea instead of facing possible execution if repatriated. An open letter sent to Ukraine’s embassy in Seoul by the Transitional Justice Working Group, along with eight other organizations, emphasized that returning these prisoners to North Korea could result in severe punishment or even death.
This appeal gained urgency following Ukraine’s capture of two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region of Russia in January. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested a potential exchange of these prisoners for Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia; however, activists contend that such a move would contravene Article 45 of the Geneva Convention, which forbids the forced repatriation of individuals at risk of persecution.
Reports indicate that since 2024, North Korea has dispatched 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia, marking its largest overseas military involvement since the Korean War. This deployment reflects the strengthening alliance between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly following a mutual assistance agreement signed during their summit in June 2024.
These North Korean forces primarily operate as light infantry within Russian military units, using forged identities to conceal their status. They play a role in defensive operations and support trench warfare, while North Korean high-ranking officers, including generals, coordinate activities from a distance. Notably, three North Korean generals have been identified by Ukrainian intelligence as involved in the ongoing conflict.
Combat losses for North Korean troops have been significant, with estimates indicating that over 3,000 soldiers—approximately 40% of their initial deployment—had been killed or wounded by January 2025. Following a brief withdrawal from the front lines, North Korea reportedly sent a second contingent of 3,500 soldiers for training in Russia’s Far East.
In exchange for their military involvement, North Korea has received increased oil and other essential commodity exports from Russia. A South Korean intelligence-affiliated think tank estimated that North Korea earned about $540 million from arms exports in 2023, primarily through sales to Russia.
Furthermore, the Institute for the Study of War posits that North Korea views the Ukraine conflict as a crucial opportunity to test its military capabilities against Western-supplied arms and gain first-hand combat experience. This cooperation not only fortifies North Korea’s anti-Western narrative but may also alter the strategic landscape on the Korean Peninsula.
Such military cooperation is in direct violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874, which prohibits North Korea from exporting military forces or arms. Consequently, this deployment has spurred international condemnation and additional sanctions from the United States and South Korea.
Human rights advocates assert that allowing North Korean POWs to defect could potentially incentivize more soldiers to surrender, thereby weakening Pyongyang’s support for Russia. South Korean lawmaker Yu Yong-weon, who visited Ukraine in February, reported one captured soldier showed a clear desire to defect, while the other remained uncertain about his choice.
The call by human rights groups for Ukraine to allow captured North Korean soldiers to seek refuge in South Korea highlights crucial concerns about human rights and the consequences of repatriation. The extensive military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has significant implications for regional stability and international law. Continued advocacy for the rights of these prisoners may influence North Korean military support for Russia, potentially altering the dynamics within the conflict.
Original Source: www.dailynk.com
