By Jun Ji-hye
The North Korean soldier who has been in a critical condition after suffering gunshot wounds while fleeing to South Korea through the Joint Security Area (JSA) last week has regained consciousness, according to sources, Tuesday.
The solider underwent surgery twice at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.
Sources said the soldier has opened his eyes and begun breathing without a respirator.
The soldier has also begun to speak, according to local daily DongA Ilbo. “Am I really in South Korea? I want to listen to South Korean songs,” he was quoted as saying.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said earlier around 40 gunshots were fired from the North at the soldier as he ran across the military demarcation line (MDL) inside the JSA, Nov. 13.
During the first surgery that was conducted right after he was taken to the hospital, five bullets including ones from an AK-47 assault rifle were removed from his body. The first surgery took about five hours.
During the three-and-a-half-hour second surgery, Nov. 15, the medical team removed damaged tissue and one remaining bullet from the patient. But the team noted it could not give a definite answer on whether the patient will survive.
The JCS refused to elaborate on the status of the soldier, only saying, “It is improper for us to comment on health conditions of the defector.”
The National Intelligence Service and the Defense Security Command plan to question the soldier to find out his rank and background and the reasons for his defection once he stabilizes.
The hospital is reportedly planning to hold a media briefing today to explain the details of his condition.