Korean Marine in Poland 'for war against Russia' refuses to return home
Korean Marines march after landing on a beach during U.S.-Korea joint landing military exercises as part of the annual joint military exercise Foal Eagle, in Pohang, Korea, in this March 30, 2015, file photo. Korea's efforts to secure and bring home a Marine draftee who is currently in Poland without overseas travel permission have stalled due to his refusal to return, a Seoul official said Wednesday. AP-Yonhap
Korea's efforts to secure and bring home a Marine draftee who is currently in Poland without overseas travel permission have stalled due to his refusal to return, a Seoul official said Wednesday.
Korean Embassy personnel are waiting to contact the Marine outside a checkpoint in a Polish border region to which the man was taken after he was denied access to Ukraine, Tuesday.
He is reportedly refusing to come out of the checkpoint for an unspecified reason. Embassy officials are not allowed to enter the checkpoint as it is a facility under foreign jurisdiction.
The Marine, whose name was withheld, departed for Warsaw, Monday morning. A local media outlet reported the man intended to enter Ukraine to help the country's fight against Russia's invasion.
By law, those serving mandatory military service must gain permission for overseas travel. Otherwise, they can be subject to punishment for desertion.
Korea has banned its citizens from traveling to Ukraine since mid-February amid safety concerns.
The suspected desertion came after Rhee Keun, a former Navy SEAL, recently entered Ukraine to help in its battle against Russia despite Seoul's repeated warnings. (Yonhap)