North Korean Soldiers in Ukraine: A Battle They Never Chose – An Open Plea to President Zelenskyy

Open Letter to the President of Ukraine 

In an open letter addressed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Hyun-Seung Lee, a former North Korean special forces sergeant and human rights advocate, expresses deep concern over the presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine. These young men, aged 17 to 27, have been forcibly deployed under a deal between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, and are not mercenaries but victims of coercion. They are ill-equipped, terrified, and have no personal stake in the war.

Lee urges Ukraine to counter this situation through psychological warfare rather than firepower, arguing that such an approach can be more effective than any weapon. He proposes several strategies to encourage defection, including:

• Loudspeaker broadcasts in Korean near the frontlines, exposing Kim Jong-un’s exploitation.
• Drones dropping leaflets detailing the truth about North Korea’s regime and offering safe surrender options.
• Portable radios transmitting testimonies from former North Korean defectors.
• Psychological warfare units staffed with former North Korean soldiers who can communicate persuasively.
• Defection infrastructure with safe houses, food supplies, and counseling to support escapees.

Lee, who himself experienced the power of truth in breaking indoctrination, emphasizes that if Ukraine strategically appeals to the soldiers’ disillusionment, it can neutralize the threat without unnecessary bloodshed, while also saving innocent lives. He calls on President Zelenskyy to collaborate with South Korea to implement these psychological operations, presenting it as not just a military tactic but a moral victory.

The letter has been forwarded to Kyiv, and a video message in Korean with English text is available here.

Open Letter to the President of Ukraine Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy

 

Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine

The Presidential Office of Ukraine Kyiv, 11 Bankova Street, 01220

October 25, 2024

Dear President Zelenskyy,

 

My name is Hyun-Seung Lee, and I am a former soldier who escaped from North Korea in 2014. It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, knowing that my fellow North Koreans are now on Ukrainian soil, forced into a war that has nothing to do with them. I never imagined that these young men—often between the ages of 17 and 27—would be sent thousands of miles away to

fight and potentially die for a regime that treats them as expendable pawns.

The North Korean soldiers in Ukraine are not mercenaries driven by loyalty to Russia or a desire for financial gain. Instead, they are victims of a ruthless deal between Kim Jong-un and Putin.

Many of them are facing their first real battle, ill-equipped and terrified. They did not choose to be there, and they have no personal stake in this conflict. They are simply doing what they’ve

been forced to do, without compensation or protection for themselves or their families back

home. These soldiers are innocent, and their only "crime" is having been born in North Korea.

Mr. President, I firmly believe that the most effective way to address this situation is not through firepower, but through psychological warfare—an approach that can be even more powerful than a nuclear weapon. These young men are disillusioned, scared, and unmotivated to die for a

foreign cause. They have been indoctrinated to believe that loyalty to Kim Jong-un is the only path to survival, but the reality of their situation can break these psychological chains.

I urge you to request assistance from the South Korean government to provide the necessary tools for psychological operations, including:

 

1. Loudspeakers near the frontlines: These should broadcast Korean-language messages 24/7, emphasizing the futility of their mission and the fact that Kim Jong-un profits while offering nothing in return.
2. Leaflets via drones: These leaflets should explain the truth about Kim Jong-un’s brutality and the free world, along with safe pathways to surrender.
3. Portable radios: Distribute small radios that can play Korean-language broadcasts from former North Korean soldiers who have defected, sharing their personal success stories of life in South Korea and urging their comrades to seek freedom.
4. Psychological Warfare Units: Deploy specialized psychological warfare teams,

including former North Korean soldiers who understand the mindset and language of these troops. Their messages will be sincere, familiar, and effective, resonating deeply with the deployed troops.

5. Defection infrastructure: Establish a network of safe houses, food supplies, and counseling teams to offer immediate support and safety to escapees.

I know the power of the truth because I have experienced it myself. I know that these soldiers can be persuaded to surrender peacefully if they understand that there is a path to a better life, a chance to taste freedom, and to see a world they have never known. These young men deserve hope, not death.

If Ukraine uses this opportunity to break their psychological chains, it will not only neutralize a new threat but also save the lives of young men who never wanted to be there in the first place.

This is not just a military strategy; it is a moral victory. Please, Mr. President, consider this approach for the sake of both Ukrainian and North Korean lives.

 

With deepest respect and hope,

 

Hyun-Seung Lee

 

Former Sergeant of the North Korean Army Special Forces Chair, North Korean Young Leaders Assembly

Lead Strategist: North Korea Initiative, Global Peace Foundation

#RussianUkraineWar #NorthKoreanTroops #PsychologicalWarfare