Polish Departure Marine Soldiers "Unit Senior Excluded from 'Kisu Yeoloe'"

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.
/Baengnyeongdo=Photo by the National Assembly Press Corps

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Marine Corps soldier A, who attempted to depart for Ukraine, claimed to have experienced injustice during military service. Currently, A is on unauthorized leave after going abroad and is missing.

In a pre-recorded interview on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" aired on the 28th, A explained the reason for departure, saying, "I kept looking for news that the Russian army bombed Ukrainian daycare centers or indiscriminately massacred civilians," and "Even if it meant breaking Korean law, I only thought I had to go and help."

Before departure, A also claimed to have faced injustice, such as being excluded from the promotion cycle ("gisuyolwe") by senior members of the unit for preparing to become a non-commissioned officer.

A said, "At first, I wrote a letter from the heart, but the officers covered it up," and added that he was insulted for reporting the issue. He confessed, "No matter what I did, they kept criticizing me. So, I thought, wow, this has no solution."

He also said, "When I reported it, the people who had ignored me suddenly came quickly to catch me (in Poland)," and added, "They didn't help with the report but came recklessly, which felt a bit strange."

Regarding concerns that incidents involving an active-duty soldier could escalate into diplomatic issues, he responded, "I am fully aware and have heard about it," but added, "I have already thought that if I am captured as a prisoner, I might as well self-destruct."

He further stated, "(Even if I return) I will voluntarily come back," and "I believe I will take responsibility for the choices I make."

A, belonging to a certain Marine Corps unit, left for Poland through Incheon International Airport on the 21st while on leave and attempted to enter Ukraine.

However, entry was denied at the Ukrainian border checkpoint, and the Ukrainian side took A to the Polish border checkpoint in a border city in southeastern Poland. But A left the Polish border guard building early morning on the 23rd local time and has not been contacted since, with his whereabouts unknown. The military and diplomatic authorities are currently tracking A's whereabouts and are reportedly persuading him to return.

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