(LEAD) S. Korean volunteers deployed to front-line units in Ukraine: official
(ATTN: UPDATES with details in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, March 28 (Yonhap) -- Some volunteer soldiers from South Korea were deployed in Ukrainian front-line units fighting against Russia, an official from Ukraine's military has said.
Damien Magrou, a spokesperson for the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine, confirmed the activities of South Koreans during a recent interview with Yonhap News Agency.
Ukraine has claimed that it established the Ukrainian foreign legion on Feb. 27, days after Russia's invasion, and over 20,000 people from 52 countries have joined the brigade-level unit.
It is the first interview the International Legion has done with South Korean media.
Magrou said volunteers from many countries, including South Korea, have joined the international brigade but refused to disclose the number of volunteers by nationality.
He declined to confirm the location of individual foreign volunteers for their safety and operational security, but said that Rhee Keun, a former South Korean Navy special warfare officer-turned-YouTuber, has not yet been deployed to a front-line unit.
Rhee has drawn media attention after leaving for Ukraine in early March to join the war against Russia.
South Korea's foreign ministry has warned of possible prison sentences against its citizens seeking to join Ukraine's military to fight against Russia's invasion without due approval from the government. It said on March 18 that nine South Koreans, including Rhee, were staying in Ukraine.
Three of the nine Koreans have returned home and six are still in the European country, the ministry said.
The government has yet to locate two out of the six in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong said in a national assembly meeting.
(END)
-
(Yonhap Interview) Talent, gov't support are key to chip industry's success: professor
-
(LEAD) Samsung begins mass production of 3nm chips
-
Yoon to agree to new partnership with NATO in second half of year
-
First lady Kim, Queen Letizia of Spain talk K-beauty, being the same age
-
(LEAD) N. Korea appears to have discharged water from dam near inter-Korean border: gov't official
-
(Yonhap Interview) Talent, gov't support are key to chip industry's success: professor
-
(LEAD) Samsung begins mass production of 3nm chips
-
Yoon to agree to new partnership with NATO in second half of year
-
(LEAD) Yoon to agree to new partnership with NATO in second half of year
-
Car of missing Cho family found off southwestern coast
-
S. Korean catching prospect signs with Kansas City Royals: source
-
Photo of Yoon staring at blank computer screen raises eyebrows
-
Culture minister: public opinion most important factor in determining military exemptions for BTS
-
Tottenham star Son Heung-min appreciative of teammates for making Golden Boot possible
-
Nayeon debuts at No. 7 on Billboard 200, becoming highest-charting K-pop solo artist