※ The Chosunilbo did not disclose the real names of the North Korean prisoners of war interviewed for this article or reveal identifying information to protect their rights under international law. The decision to publish photos and videos without pixelation followed an editorial review, as the Ukrainian government had already released clear images of the individuals, which had circulated globally for over a month. No personal details disclosed by The Chosun Ilbo exceeded what the Ukrainian military had already made public.
Among the North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces, rifleman Baek, 21, has become a familiar face. He appeared in multiple interrogation videos after his comrade, reconnaissance sniper Ri, 26, was unable to speak due to a jaw injury.
When The Chosun Ilbo interviewed Baek, he was recovering from a severe gunshot wound that shattered his left shinbone. Metal external fixators held his leg in place. “I can’t move much,” he said. “I take care of everything here, even bathroom needs.” Compared to earlier footage, the bandages on his hands were gone, and his complexion looked healthier. He wore the same sweater seen in previous Ukrainian military videos—the same one he wore when he famously asked, “Are all Ukrainians kind? I’d like to live here.”
Unlike Ri, who claimed to have served for a decade, Baek was a newly assigned recruit. He enlisted in May 2021, underwent three years of training, and joined the Reconnaissance General Bureau—North Korea’s elite military intelligence unit—only five months before being deployed to Russia in December 2024. He recalled being told, “We’re going for training, like real combat.” There was no further explanation or consent process.
Upon hearing the interviewer was a South Korean journalist, Baek responded with a reserved, “Nice to meet you.” He spoke hesitantly, revealing flashes of pride in his elite military status. Yet, when discussing his mother—a widow in her 50s—his eyes reddened, showing a glimpse of the dutiful young man beneath the soldier’s exterior.
I saw earlier footage of you with bandages on your hands. Are they better now?
“Ah, that wasn’t from an injury—it was just a precaution.”
To prevent self-harm?
“Yes.” (North Korean soldiers are reportedly trained to commit suicide if captured. When asked if he still had such thoughts, he simply smiled.)
Do you remember the moment you were captured?
“Not really. The mental shock of becoming a POW outweighed any relief from surviving.”
How were you trained to handle capture?
(Silence.)
Do you miss your family?
“Yes.”
Are both parents alive? Any siblings?
“Only my mother. My father… he passed away the year I enlisted. He was ill, got treatment, but… it happened just a month before I joined the military.”
What did your father do for a living?
“He was a doctor.”
Did you get to see your mother during your service?
“No.” (After confirming he hadn’t seen her even once, Baek added, “It’s been four years now.”)
Does she even know you were sent to Russia?
“No.”
You’re with the KPASOF, right?
“You could say that.” (When asked if it was true that only top-tier soldiers join KPASOF, he nodded. Later, he clarified his official unit was the Reconnaissance General Bureau.)
Did you enlist right after high school?
“I could’ve gone to college first, but I decided to serve, gain experience, and then attend university.”
Baek said he arrived in Russia in November 2024 and reached Kursk on Jan. 3, 2025. Just six days later, he was wounded and captured.
What was it like entering Kursk?
“It was my first time abroad, so everything felt surreal. Fear didn’t hit me until I saw comrades falling beside me. But even then, I wasn’t truly scared.”
How many were in your unit?
“About ten. Some were injured and evacuated, others died. Less than half remained.”
Did you expect such heavy casualties?
“Of course. It’s war—casualties are inevitable.” (Ukrainian intelligence estimates North Korea deployed around 12,000 troops, with 4,000 killed or wounded.)
How did you counter attack drones?
“We shot them down. Russian troops often talked about drone threats, advising us to hide or flee. But our army’s marksmanship is strong—we just shot them down.”
In December 2024, Ukraine’s military claimed North Korean troops used “human bait” tactics—luring drones toward a soldier while others shot them down. When asked, Baek responded, “That’s the first I’ve heard of it.” He dismissed concerns about drone speed, saying, “They’re easy to hit.”
How were living conditions on the battlefield?
“Food and clothing were fine—no complaints.”
Do you hope to return to North Korea soon, for your mother’s sake?
“Of course…” (He smiled faintly.)
What were your dreams before all this?
“I planned to finish my service, attend university, and eventually work as an officer and run a business.”
What do you hope for now?
(Long pause.) “First, I want to go home.”
Because of your mother?
“Yes… but if that’s not possible,” he sighed, “I’m still figuring things out.”
Have you considered seeking asylum in South Korea?
“If I can’t return home, I’ve thought about it.”
What do you think your mother would want for you?
(Nodding slowly.) “Parents just want their children to be happy, no matter where they are. But as a son… I can’t be truly happy without knowing how she’s doing.”
When asked about the moment he parted with his mother, Baek’s expression hardened. “Yes,” he said quietly, pressing his lips together.
