[단독] 우크라이나 북한군 포로 인터뷰. 정찰·저격수 리모(26)씨, 소총수 백모(21)씨 I "실전같은 훈련하러 간다더니… 파병 설명 없었다" I 키이우(우크라이나)=정철환 기자

※ Chosun Ilbo, in the process of reporting on the interview with North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) deployed to Russia, has not disclosed their real names or revealed specific information that could lead to their identification. This measure was taken to protect the human rights of the prisoners in accordance with international laws regarding prisoners of war.

However, the Ukrainian government has already revealed the faces of the two individuals multiple times in photos and videos, and these images have been widely circulated worldwide for over a month. After editorial discussions, it was concluded that applying a mosaic or other concealment methods would be ineffective, leading to the decision to use unaltered images and videos.

Additionally, none of the personal information disclosed by our publication includes details that have not already been publicly released by the Ukrainian military.

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The Ukrainian military, currently at war with Russia, captured two North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia on January 9th. Recently, Chosun Ilbo met them at a prisoner-of-war camp in Ukraine. This marks the world's first media interview with North Korean POWs deployed to Russia.

Ri (26), a reconnaissance sniper who served in the North Korean military for 10 years, and Baek (21), a rifleman with four years of service, were sent to Kursk, Russia, in October and November of last year. They were held in solitary confinement deep within the detention facility. While all deployed North Korean soldiers were believed to belong to the Storm Corps, both men stated in the interview that they were actually soldiers of the Reconnaissance General Bureau.

During the interview, Ri and Baek revealed for the first time that North Korean security agents were monitoring and controlling North Korean troops in Kursk. They also disclosed that these agents were spreading false claims, saying “South Korean soldiers deployed to Ukraine are attacking North Korean troops with drones”, in an attempt to incite hostility. Ri stated, "The security officers told us that all Ukrainian military drone operators were actually South Korean soldiers."

Both are only sons. Ri, a native of Pyongyang, said, "On October 10th last year, I was told I was going abroad to study and receive training." Baek shared that his father passed away the year he enlisted, leaving only his 50-year-old mother behind. Despite being in their early to mid-20s, their dream was to "attend university and study after their military service." Ri also expressed his wish to "go to South Korea."

Arranging the interview with the North Korean POWs involved a complex negotiation process. When shaking hands with the two young men, their palms felt shockingly rough and thick for people in their 20s. Scars from years of hard labor and harsh training, along with calluses like tree bark, covered their hands. As they parted, they responded to the farewell words, "Let’s meet again in good health," with a heartfelt embrace.

/Kyiv (Ukraine) – Reporter Jeong Cheol-hwan