Ukraine’s Hotline Lures Them In – North Koreans Can’t Say No to What’s Waiting for Them!

Ukraine is reaching out to North Korean soldiers sent to aid Russia, offering them safe surrender with promises of warm meals and comfortable living conditions. In a recent statement, Ukraine’s military intelligence directly addressed these troops: “To the soldiers of the Korean People’s Army: You, who were sent to help the Putin regime, you do not need to die senselessly in another country.”

This offer is part of Ukraine’s ongoing “I Want to Live” initiative, a project designed to encourage Russian soldiers to surrender by dialing a dedicated hotline. Launched in October 2022, this service provides an escape route for soldiers who wish to surrender, but access to the hotline and chatbot has been blocked within Russia. Despite this, many still manage to access it using a VPN.

“Surrender! Ukraine provides you with protection, food, and warmth,” the statement assured, emphasizing that Russian soldiers who had surrendered were now living in “comfortable barracks” and were receiving “three hot meals a day.” Ukraine’s approach is intended to show that choosing surrender offers a far better alternative than remaining on the battlefield.

To further attract North Korean troops, Ukraine released a video in Korean, showcasing the conditions in its prisoner-of-war camps. The video, shared on social media platforms like X and YouTube, displayed the meals and barracks awaiting those who surrender. It concluded with a phone number and QR code for North Korean soldiers interested in contacting Ukrainian authorities.

While Ukraine’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comments on this initiative, the situation is gaining attention. North Korea is believed to have sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s war efforts, according to officials from South Korea, Ukraine, and the United States. These forces may soon be actively participating in battles, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned in a recent address: “North Korean troops may appear on the battlefield any day now.” He expressed the growing challenge, stating, “Ukraine will be forced to actually fight against North Korea in Europe.”

Russia’s reliance on North Korean troops signals its deepening dependence on allies to maintain its war efforts. President Vladimir Putin has already committed 40% of Russia’s national budget to defense manufacturing and secured a pact with North Korea, aiming to tap into another source of ammunition and military supplies. Yet, Ukraine’s plea for North Korean soldiers to defect may face significant obstacles.

Experts on North Korea, such as Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. from the Center for International and Strategic Studies, explain that the regime is known for its strict control over citizens sent abroad. “North Korea’s Kim is likely to send only politically reliable people,” said Bermudez, adding that these individuals would likely be monitored closely by ruling Workers’ Party officials who report on their behavior.

This tight surveillance isn’t the only challenge defectors face. North Korea employs a severe punishment system for those who flee, often targeting the defectors’ families. Bruce W. Bennett, a North Korea specialist at RAND, highlighted that the regime keeps its overseas citizens in line by threatening their families back home. “Defectors risk hurting their family if they decide to flee from North Korea,” Bennett explained. This form of “generational punishment,” as Bermudez calls it, is a powerful deterrent, making the decision to surrender a deeply complicated one for North Korean soldiers.

Ukraine’s offer, while promising, must overcome these significant barriers. North Korean soldiers are not just fighting for their lives on foreign soil, but also for the safety of their loved ones back home. Despite the comfort Ukraine promises, the risk of retribution by the North Korean regime looms large, leaving these soldiers with a harrowing choice.