71 years later, prisoners of war in North Korea are still waiting to return home



News 71 years later, prisoners of war in North Korea are still waiting to return home POWs have long been an afterthought in Seoul’s inter-Korean policy, and those still alive are running out of time Chaewon Chung December 17, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News (file) \| Man seen behind barbed wire fencing at the inter-Korean border in 2011 From inside a prison camp in Kangdong county, Yoo Young-bok watched as artillery shells lit up the night sky, a celebration of North Korea’s “victory” in the Korean War, and felt a hope spark inside him. “We will be able to go back home soon,” he thought on that evening in 1953, anticipating an exchange of North and South Korean prisoners of war (POWs) like himself. He would be able to see his father and younger sister soon enough. From inside a prison camp in Kangdong county, Yoo Young-bok watched as artillery shells lit up the night sky, a celebration of North Korea’s “victory” in the Korean War, and felt a hope spark inside him. “We will be able to go back home soon,” he thought on that evening in 1953, anticipating an exchange of North and South Korean prisoners of war (POWs) like himself. He would be able to see his father and younger sister soon enough. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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71 years later, prisoners of war in North Korea are still waiting to return home

POWs have long been an afterthought in Seoul’s inter-Korean policy, and those still alive are running out of time

Chaewon Chung December 17, 2021

71 years later, prisoners of war in North Korea are still waiting to return home

NK News (file) | Man seen behind barbed wire fencing at the inter-Korean border in 2011

From inside a prison camp in Kangdong county, Yoo Young-bok watched as artillery shells lit up the night sky, a celebration of North Korea’s “victory” in the Korean War, and felt a hope spark inside him.

“We will be able to go back home soon,” he thought on that evening in 1953, anticipating an exchange of North and South Korean prisoners of war (POWs) like himself. He would be able to see his father and younger sister soon enough.

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