In February last year, as volunteer fighters from across the globe rushed to Ukraine following the Russian invasion, former South Korean Navy SEAL and YouTuber, Rhee Keun, decided to join the cause. However, upon his return to Seoul three months later, Keun found himself facing prosecution for violating South Korea’s travel ban to Ukraine. In a recent ruling, the Seoul Central District Court has handed him a suspended prison sentence, shedding light on the delicate balancing act the country has had to navigate throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Alongside the charges related to his involvement in the conflict, Rhee also faced sentencing for a hit-and-run incident in 2021. Consequently, he has been ordered to attend safe driving classes and engage in social service activities for a combined total of 120 hours.
The travel ban imposed by South Korean authorities in February 2022 mandates up to a year in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million won ($7,500) for those who traveled to Ukraine without approval. Initially, prosecutors sought an 18-month prison sentence for Rhee, which was ultimately handed down by the court but suspended. This means that he is unlikely to serve time unless he commits another offense during the suspension period.
Rhee is not the only South Korean to have been convicted for unauthorized travel to Ukraine. Local reports indicate that at least three others have faced legal consequences for their involvement. In June, a 27-year-old man was fined 3 million won ($2,200) for a six-month stay in Ukraine, intent on becoming a volunteer fighter. Similarly, in April, another man received a fine for entering Ukraine with Rhee but left after a week without participating in combat. In March, a 28-year-old man was convicted and fined for leaving Ukraine shortly after arrival without any engagement in the war.
Despite facing prosecution, Rhee expressed his conviction that supporting Ukraine during its invasion was the right thing to do. In an interview with AFP in June last year, shortly after his return to South Korea, he compared the situation to seeing someone drowning when signs prohibited swimming. Rhee believed that he would have been in the wrong not to help.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine prompted Ukraine to call for international volunteers, resulting in an estimated 20,000 individuals answering the call. While some countries, such as Germany, Denmark, and Latvia, allowed their citizens to join the war effort, nations like Australia and South Korea cautioned against it due to potential legal consequences. For South Korea, authorities perceive volunteer fighters like Rhee as a “headache” due to the political risk they pose and the impact on international relations, according to Don S. Lee, an assistant professor of politics at Sungkyunkwan University.
Despite its close alliance with the United States and its condemnation of Russia’s invasion, South Korea has carefully navigated its support for Ukraine to protect economic ties with Russia and avoid exacerbating North Korea’s nuclear program issue. Last year, South Korea provided $100 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and it plans to send an additional $150 million this year. Renowned conglomerates like Samsung and Hyundai have also committed to supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction projects.
However, South Korea has been cautious about directly arming the Ukrainian defense forces, despite being widely recognized as a top weapons exporter. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s recent visit to Kyiv resulted in the assurance of additional military supplies, primarily non-lethal equipment like body armor and helmets. Russia’s Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, ominously pointed out in July that South Korea’s proximity to North Korea could lead to Russian weapons potentially falling into their neighbor’s hands.
While Rhee expressed optimism that the conservative government under President Yoon would not imprison him, his suspended sentence affirms that joining the conflict was deemed improper by the court. The judge emphasized that Rhee’s actions could place an excessive burden on his homeland, irrespective of his intentions.
Rhee Keun’s recent suspended prison sentence serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics South Korea has had to navigate throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The delicate balancing act involves supporting Ukraine in various ways while managing potential repercussions and maintaining strong ties with key global players.
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