Conflict documentary producer Kim Young-mi listens to a briefing from an official at a policy seminar at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, Feb. 3. Newsis

“The starting point was wanting to give them a chance to publicly say whether they truly want to be repatriated or not.”

These were the words of Kim Young-mi, an international conflict journalist and producer of MBC’s investigative program “PD Notebook,” at a policy seminar in Seoul on Feb. 3, reflecting on the decision that brought two North Korean prisoners of war into South Korea’s public conversation.

Kim recently broadcast interviews with two North Korean prisoners of war she met in Ukraine, stressing the urgency of humanitarian measures. The decision to not blur their faces — a move which she called a bold editorial gamble — prompted debate.

The reaction was immediate. Although images and interviews had surfaced sporadically through Ukrainian authorities and domestic media, it was the first time their living conditions, fears of being sent back to North Korea and stated wish to go to South Korea were presented clearly on television. Public attention, and political interest, rose accordingly.

At a seminar titled “How should South Korea respond to North Korean POWs in Ukraine?” hosted by lawmaker Yu Yong-weon, participants broadly agreed that the two prisoners should be brought to South Korea as soon as possible, given confirmation of their intentions. Several speakers urged the government to take a more active role through organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Rep. Lee Seong-kweun of the People Power Party, left, and Rep. Park Sun-won of the Democratic Party of Korea, floor leaders of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee / Korea Times photo by Go Young-kwon

Government faces complex decision

In Seoul, officials appear to be in unison.

After a closed briefing to lawmakers, Rep. Lee Seong-kweun said the National Intelligence Service confirmed the prisoners’ intention to defect and explained that efforts are under way through multiple channels to support their transfer, noting that respecting individual wishes reflects international legal principles.

Source: Korea Times News