Defense ministry condemns N.K. troop deployment as ‘deceptive’ after captured soldiers report

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Yonhap) — The defense ministry on Thursday denounced North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia as being “deceptive” and “inhumane,” following a news report that a North Korean soldier held by Ukrainian forces expressed his wish to go to South Korea.

In an interview with the Chosun Ilbo daily, published Wednesday, one of the two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine expressed his wish to go to South Korea, in what would be the first such known case since North Korea sent around 11,000 troops in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“It reaffirms how the Kim Jong-un regime’s troop deployment to (the war in) Ukraine is deceptive and inhumane,” ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou said in a regular press briefing, noting there seems to be no unusual movement by the North Korean military.

“The defense ministry sternly condemns such behavior and urges the regime to immediately halt additional deployment,” Jeon said.

Seoul’s foreign ministry said Wednesday the government is willing to provide protection and support if North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine request to come to the South.

The defense ministry earlier assessed the North to have provided Russia missiles, 200 pieces of long-range artillery and a substantial amount of ammunition in addition to troop deployment, projecting more troop deployment and arms provisions to take place.

The North has yet to confirm its deployment of troops.