Description

Korean language report on South Korean Prisoners of War from the Korean War who were held captive by North Korea and not repatriated after 1953 armistice.

South Korean authorities believe over 500 South Korean POWs still remain captive in North Korea to this day. In 1994, Lt. Cho Chang Ho was the first such South Korean POW to escape from North Korea. As of 2008, 79 have escaped to South Korea since 1994. This report is based on in depth interviews with 20 such former South Korean POWs. The interviewees discuss their capture, life as POWs during the war, life in North Korea after the war, their escape from North Korea, and readjustment to South Korean life.

In addition to providing a in depth look into the lives of the former POWs, the report also covers the history of the issue and makes some innovative policy recommendations for improving the care of escaped POWs and helping those that remain in North Korea. This report was published by the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights in Seoul Korea (nkdb.org). 

An English translation of this is in progress. Contact Hanhwe Kim at hanhwe.kim@gmail.com for more information or to help with the translation.