Captured soldiers are considered traitors by North Korea

In North Korea today, the youngsters of what is known as the MZ generation hold values that differ from those of older generations. The main point of difference is their tendency to prioritize family and personal wellbeing over loyalty to the state.
Consider, then, the challenge to the young fighting men being sent to Ukraine. Article 7 of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) Soldier’s Duties clearly states, “A soldier must never become a prisoner of war.” This phrase carries a significance far beyond its literal meaning.
The cases of two soldiers captured during the Ukraine conflict vividly illustrate the grim consequences of this rule.
The fate of captured soldiers
The state deems soldiers captured by the enemy to be traitors. If they are unlucky enough to be returned to their own side through a prisoner exchange, they face severe punishment. This is not just an issue for each individual soldier. Elite special forces, such as the Storm Corps, are acutely aware of this rule. In fact, before being sent into battle, it is common for soldiers to ask their comrades to kill them if they are injured or in danger of being captured.
“Leave the last bullet for yourself,” commanders might say, pressuring their men to choose death over capture. This practice was evidenced in 1996 when North Korean commanders, who had infiltrated South Korea by submarine. When they were spotted by South Korean troops and found themselves in danger of being captured, they killed ten of their subordinates and then took their own lives.
At that time, this Spartan code had been maintained relatively well due to indoctrinated loyalty. However, the MZ generation thinks differently. The shift away from loyalty to the state is thought to be influenced by their upbringing in the “jangmadang” market system, as opposed to the rigid state-controlled distribution system their parents grew up in. These changing values in turn are impacting both the loyalty and combat readiness of the military.
Challenge of managing PoWs
A new issue has emerged with the recent identification of North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine. When personal information about prisoners of war is made public, it increases the likelihood that the soldiers will give up any idea they might have had of defecting to South Korea and choose to return to North Korea. They would rather risk personal stigma and punishment than risk subjecting their families to retaliation.
What this means is that the government in Seoul needs to set up a rigorous prisoner management system. For example, it is crucial to keep the identities of prisoners confidential and provide them with at least the minimal conditions needed to make informed decisions about their future. This would allow for the protection and management of prisoners in accordance with international law and human rights principles.
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