“Putin is the most stable president”…South Korean youth volunteers for Russian army.

A South Korean youth has voluntarily enlisted in the Russian military and has been deployed to the front lines, according to Russian media.

ⓒAIF

In a video released on the 14th (local time) by the Russian media outlet ‘AIF’ (Argument and Fact), a man claimed that he left Seoul and arrived in Donbas (a term collectively referring to Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine) to join the international brigade ‘Pyatnashka’ of the 1st Donetsk Army Corps.

The man’s name and other specific details about his identity have not been disclosed. The South Korean embassy in Russia has also reportedly been unable to confirm his identity.

Recently, an interview video of this man, who claims to have come from South Korea to participate in Russia’s ‘special military operations’, has been posted on social media platforms like Telegram and X (formerly Twitter).

He responded to the interview in English, wearing a mask to cover his nose and mouth. The man, known by the call sign ‘Kinzhal’, explained why he decided to fight on the side of the Russian military.

He said, “Living in Seoul, I was deeply impressed by Russia. The West is currently spiraling downwards. The issue of LGBT is being promoted everywhere. You can see it in Europe and the U.S.”

He added, “Former U.S. President Donald Trump was a ‘good president’, but the situation has worsened since President Joe Biden took office. The U.S. is becoming more liberal and is imposing these values on other countries.”

“In Russia, traditional ways of life are preserved. Moreover, President Vladimir Putin is one of the most stable presidents on the world stage, and I trust him,” he continued.

He expressed his wish to acquire Russian citizenship and live in Sochi, a resort town near the Black Sea with a pleasant climate, once his special military service is over. He added that he likes warm climates as he has lived in Singapore before.

ⓒAIF

The man, who does not speak Russian and communicates in English and with a translator, said, “It’s hard for foreigners to serve in the Russian military, but I hope the system will be better established so that it’s easier for foreigners to enlist.” He also revealed, “I flew a drone in Korea in 2015 and I want to master it through training.”

He said, “I’m currently in contact with Korea. My family and friends know that I went to Russia, but they don’t know that I enlisted. I don’t want other people to worry about me.”

When asked about his thoughts on the Ukrainian president, he replied, “Zelensky is a parasite. I have nothing more to say about him.”

Previously, YouTuber Lee Geun, a former military officer, was found guilty of violating the Passport Act and other laws for participating in the Ukrainian international volunteer army last year without obtaining permission to use his passport from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This man could face the same penalty for unauthorized entry into a travel-restricted area upon his return.