Marine deserter from Ukraine secured... to be handed over soon

Defense Committee members, including Min Hong-chul, Chairman of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, are experiencing riding the KAAV (Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle) during the 2021 National Assembly inspection held at the 6th Marine Brigade in Baengnyeongdo, Incheon on the 18th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Corps, Baengnyeongdo.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A currently serving Marine soldier who left the country without permission during leave, intending to join the International Volunteer Forces in Ukraine, was denied entry in Ukraine on the 22nd. The government is expected to repatriate the soldier to Korea as soon as his custody is secured.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Private A of the 1st Marine Division attempted to enter Ukraine from Poland on the same day but was refused entry at the Ukrainian border checkpoint. Currently, Ukrainian authorities are escorting Private A back to the Polish border checkpoint where Korean government officials are waiting. The government plans to conduct a brief investigation upon receiving Private A and then send him back to Korea.

It was confirmed that Private A headed to Warsaw, Poland via Incheon International Airport on the 21st, the scheduled date to return from leave. Since active-duty soldiers must obtain overseas travel permission to travel abroad during leave, this constitutes 'military absence without leave.' Afterwards, Private A reportedly took a bus from Poland to a border city to enter Ukraine.

The government communicated with Private A while he was in Poland to persuade him to return home, but to no avail. Subsequently, cooperation was sought from Ukrainian authorities to secure Private A's custody.

In an open chat room of the 'Ukraine Volunteer Forces Supporters Group,' Private A mentioned the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, stating, "As a soldier, I could not just stand by while civilians were dying," and added, "Seeing Russia indiscriminately attacking Ukraine was frightening, but now it cannot be undone."

Private A was scheduled to return to his unit after his leave ended on the 21st. However, his family suspected that he left home with his passport and did not return to the unit but instead left the country, and reported this to the military authorities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.