Some foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine may face legal charges in their home countries for unauthorized military service abroad — yet they keep coming. Yu, a South Korean veteran, is one of them.
Thank you for sharing the realities of the war with the rest of the world. I find the foreign volunteers to be brave and thinking of something bigger than themselves; democracy. It's tragic that those who want to fight for democracy are branded as criminals in other democracies, but a dictatorship or authoritarian regime would gladly send their fighters to other dictatorships to fight for a despot. North Korea seems to gladly send their own ro fight with Russia. Democracies need to realize they are not islands on their own and that they are part of a democratic world community that includes Ukraine.
As Russia aids Iran in its war efforts that target Americans, trump the traitor aids Russia and is willing to now aid Iran. So the current American admin is helping its enemies while disavowing its democratic allies. It's madness. I admire the Ukrainians and their foreign fighters for their bravery and self sacrifice.
Thank you for your comment! Do you think foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine should be officially recognized and protected by their home countries, or treated as private individuals taking personal risks?
As long as the individuals are fighting for allies and not enemies, then they should be at least be given the freedom to do so without the fear of punishment. The should be given applause for their bravery and sacrifices for democracy and not threats to their freedom when they arrive back home.
The answer to the question “Should governments allow their citizens to participate in foreign armies, including and especially in combat,” is very arguably the wrong question.
I’d assert that the right question is “Under what legitimate theory of domestic law does any nation have any claim whatsoever over the actions of citizens living outside of the territory of that nation?”
This whole bullshit of extra-territorial jurisdiction runs directly into the teeth of the single solitary legit legal doctrine for human rights, the UNDHR. Governments forget far too often that they exist and serve only by the consent of citizens. Citizens are the ultimate masters. Governors have a revocable permission to govern.
In Canada, those that go to Ukraine to help fight against the Russians are considered heroes. There would be a lot of anger at our government if it tried to prosecute the ones that make it back.
Thank you for this article. Canadians are very aware that if Ukraine falls or is forced to negotiate a bad peace Donald Trump and his regime will move against us. Defending Ukraine is defending Canada and all democracies in Europe.
Thank you for your reporting. I did not know that volunteers could face prison for helping Ukraine. I hope Hungary's new leader will return the stolen money and gold which Ukraine desperately needs and will unblock what measures Orban imposed. I was shocked, but not surprised that Trump has turned his back on your country, but please know that the large majority of Americans have not. With Orban's fall, perhaps the Trump administration will realize they are not all powerful and that if they are to have any chance of surviving the midterm elections this year and the presidential election in 2028, they need to support democracy, not autocracy/plutocracy.
It is crazy that the South Korean military is not paying more attention to the Ukraine War and actively helping Ukraine. The North Koreans are all-in and are paying a huge price to learn from the Russians, and they will use what they learn to kill us. Putin is actively helping re-arm the Kim family, and Kim Jong Eun has been saying out loud that South Korea is their enemy and no longer their wayward brothers.
But we in South Korea still have our head in the sand big time and seem to be wishing that somehow we can still go back to having good relations with Russia and negotiate with the Kim family.
I hope we come to our senses and start helping people like Mr. Yu rather than getting in the way.
1) Intelligence cooperation (sharing, translation support, and psyops etc) against the North Korean forces fighting for the Russians and North Koreans working in Russian factories.
2) Humanitarian aid, medical aid, and logistics (including non-combat vehicles) by the shipload.
The sensible minimum:
All of the above +
3) Artillery shells and other ammunition by the shipload. Also a joint program with Ukraine to build dispersed production of munitions to make the supply chain resilient to missile and air strikes.
It should be the Russians and North Koreans worrying about shell hunger, not our side!
4) Help build dispersed and hardened facilities, including air bases.
5) Help lay mines and build fortifications that protect against drones.
6) 105 mm artillery. We have a large inventory of 105 mm artillery and ammunition that we have been upgrading (e.g., mounting the tubes on to trucks to make mobile). This is a significant investment but our systems are untested. We should provide a free supply to Ukraine of 105 mm systems and ammo in return for combat data on whether our upgrades actually work.
We need to learn how to do these things too because of the North Korean missile and drone threat.
7) Observers serving in non-combat support units, and streamlining the process South Korean volunteers to serve in International units. We should be actively supplying and helping Ukraine run the international volunteer units.
We will need to get help from others if we are invaded and we definitely need soldiers who have learned about 21st century warfare.
What we really should be doing:
8) Air defense forces. We should be sending SAM batteries to get combat experience against Russian cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
We should also be sending mobile SAMs to learn how to "ambush" Russian aircraft from the Ukrainians. We need this skill just in case we end up trying to defend against a superpower air force without American help.
9) If we are still squeamish about openly sending ground combat units, even when the North Koreans are doing so, and the Russians are openly arming the North Koreans, we should definitely be sending any covert combat assistance that Ukraine asks for. Who knows? Perhaps we might find an entire battalion of combat engineers who may 'volunteer.'
The gloves have come off and Putin has even provided A-50 airborne radar/command aircraft to the North Koreans! We should definitely send a message to Putin that if he re-arms Kim Jong Eun, he will face consequences.
Money, obviously. Unfortunately, I don't have any, being a retired teacher, and the Trump administration, as it stands, is not prone to giving you even the funds congress appropriated. The Republican majority in the House and Senate decided to roll over and play dead instead of doing its job of checking the executive branch, and the Supreme Court is corrupt due to its ties with the Federalist Society. Come November, we have midterm elections. Trump is so unpopular with even Republicans that there's a really good chance of taking back the House and (hopefully) the Senate as well. Once Democrats and Independents control the purse - as the Constitution has stipulated - the funds can/will be released and arms shipments reinstated. However, that is not immediate. If Ukraine could convince the EU and NATO to fill the gap between now and January 20th when a new congress convenes, that might help. If there is some certainty that supporting Ukraine without US participation is temporary, rather than a long-term project, there might be more willingness to be more generous. I can't stress how many Americans are sick of this regime - even those who voted for him and now feel buyers' remorse. If only the American press could do more to keep Ukraine and the efforts at defense of not only Europe, but Western democracy, forefront in the news, that would be helpful. But there's a newer, more interesting war with Iran that is not only deflecting attention, but using up weapons and other resources as well.
😱 I was outraged to learn that AUSTRALIA is prosecuting a citizen, and now to learn that South Korea & other countries do the same ? But then I thought back to perhaps how some of it has arisen and wondered if it was to counter people going to Germany to fight for the Nazis? Or going to Russia & fighting for Stalin/Putin? I like the solution of the ability to nullify such laws via a pardon, as it means you can still seek to prevent fighting for your "enemies" against your allies, but allow the opposite to occur without a complicated legal statute! (🤔 And in South Korea's case - preventing citizens going to fight for North Korea in essence by joining their military?)
Although I deplore the concept of "war" in theory, in practice unless SOMEONE steps up & defends/fights back against aggression then the whole of the free world would soon end up subjugated under authoritarian regimes from either inside or outside - such as Putin or Kim 😡
👍 It is especially admirable to fight for your principles in another country under threat, especially when you risk imprisonment in our own country for doing do - double the courage & integrity 🫂💛💙 Thank you once again for sharing a unique perspective on this "war" 🤗
Thank you for sharing the realities of the war with the rest of the world. I find the foreign volunteers to be brave and thinking of something bigger than themselves; democracy. It's tragic that those who want to fight for democracy are branded as criminals in other democracies, but a dictatorship or authoritarian regime would gladly send their fighters to other dictatorships to fight for a despot. North Korea seems to gladly send their own ro fight with Russia. Democracies need to realize they are not islands on their own and that they are part of a democratic world community that includes Ukraine.
As Russia aids Iran in its war efforts that target Americans, trump the traitor aids Russia and is willing to now aid Iran. So the current American admin is helping its enemies while disavowing its democratic allies. It's madness. I admire the Ukrainians and their foreign fighters for their bravery and self sacrifice.
Thank you for your comment! Do you think foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine should be officially recognized and protected by their home countries, or treated as private individuals taking personal risks?
As long as the individuals are fighting for allies and not enemies, then they should be at least be given the freedom to do so without the fear of punishment. The should be given applause for their bravery and sacrifices for democracy and not threats to their freedom when they arrive back home.
The answer to the question “Should governments allow their citizens to participate in foreign armies, including and especially in combat,” is very arguably the wrong question.
I’d assert that the right question is “Under what legitimate theory of domestic law does any nation have any claim whatsoever over the actions of citizens living outside of the territory of that nation?”
This whole bullshit of extra-territorial jurisdiction runs directly into the teeth of the single solitary legit legal doctrine for human rights, the UNDHR. Governments forget far too often that they exist and serve only by the consent of citizens. Citizens are the ultimate masters. Governors have a revocable permission to govern.
Where would you personally draw that line between individual freedom and a state’s responsibility to manage risk?
That line is right at the territorial border.
In Canada, those that go to Ukraine to help fight against the Russians are considered heroes. There would be a lot of anger at our government if it tried to prosecute the ones that make it back.
Mr. "Yu" is an inspiration.
Thank you for this article. Canadians are very aware that if Ukraine falls or is forced to negotiate a bad peace Donald Trump and his regime will move against us. Defending Ukraine is defending Canada and all democracies in Europe.
Thanks for your comment! What do you think is the biggest risk to Canada if Ukraine were forced into an unfavorable peace?
Thank you for this article. It is very informative and well written.
Glad you found it helpful!
What part of it stood out to you the most?
Thank you for your reporting. I did not know that volunteers could face prison for helping Ukraine. I hope Hungary's new leader will return the stolen money and gold which Ukraine desperately needs and will unblock what measures Orban imposed. I was shocked, but not surprised that Trump has turned his back on your country, but please know that the large majority of Americans have not. With Orban's fall, perhaps the Trump administration will realize they are not all powerful and that if they are to have any chance of surviving the midterm elections this year and the presidential election in 2028, they need to support democracy, not autocracy/plutocracy.
Thanks for your support! What do you think would make the biggest immediate difference for Ukraine right now?
It is crazy that the South Korean military is not paying more attention to the Ukraine War and actively helping Ukraine. The North Koreans are all-in and are paying a huge price to learn from the Russians, and they will use what they learn to kill us. Putin is actively helping re-arm the Kim family, and Kim Jong Eun has been saying out loud that South Korea is their enemy and no longer their wayward brothers.
But we in South Korea still have our head in the sand big time and seem to be wishing that somehow we can still go back to having good relations with Russia and negotiate with the Kim family.
I hope we come to our senses and start helping people like Mr. Yu rather than getting in the way.
Thank you for this comment! What kind of support do you think South Korea could realistically provide to Ukraine right now?
At the absolute minimum:
1) Intelligence cooperation (sharing, translation support, and psyops etc) against the North Korean forces fighting for the Russians and North Koreans working in Russian factories.
2) Humanitarian aid, medical aid, and logistics (including non-combat vehicles) by the shipload.
The sensible minimum:
All of the above +
3) Artillery shells and other ammunition by the shipload. Also a joint program with Ukraine to build dispersed production of munitions to make the supply chain resilient to missile and air strikes.
It should be the Russians and North Koreans worrying about shell hunger, not our side!
4) Help build dispersed and hardened facilities, including air bases.
5) Help lay mines and build fortifications that protect against drones.
6) 105 mm artillery. We have a large inventory of 105 mm artillery and ammunition that we have been upgrading (e.g., mounting the tubes on to trucks to make mobile). This is a significant investment but our systems are untested. We should provide a free supply to Ukraine of 105 mm systems and ammo in return for combat data on whether our upgrades actually work.
We need to learn how to do these things too because of the North Korean missile and drone threat.
7) Observers serving in non-combat support units, and streamlining the process South Korean volunteers to serve in International units. We should be actively supplying and helping Ukraine run the international volunteer units.
We will need to get help from others if we are invaded and we definitely need soldiers who have learned about 21st century warfare.
What we really should be doing:
8) Air defense forces. We should be sending SAM batteries to get combat experience against Russian cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
We should also be sending mobile SAMs to learn how to "ambush" Russian aircraft from the Ukrainians. We need this skill just in case we end up trying to defend against a superpower air force without American help.
9) If we are still squeamish about openly sending ground combat units, even when the North Koreans are doing so, and the Russians are openly arming the North Koreans, we should definitely be sending any covert combat assistance that Ukraine asks for. Who knows? Perhaps we might find an entire battalion of combat engineers who may 'volunteer.'
The gloves have come off and Putin has even provided A-50 airborne radar/command aircraft to the North Koreans! We should definitely send a message to Putin that if he re-arms Kim Jong Eun, he will face consequences.
Money, obviously. Unfortunately, I don't have any, being a retired teacher, and the Trump administration, as it stands, is not prone to giving you even the funds congress appropriated. The Republican majority in the House and Senate decided to roll over and play dead instead of doing its job of checking the executive branch, and the Supreme Court is corrupt due to its ties with the Federalist Society. Come November, we have midterm elections. Trump is so unpopular with even Republicans that there's a really good chance of taking back the House and (hopefully) the Senate as well. Once Democrats and Independents control the purse - as the Constitution has stipulated - the funds can/will be released and arms shipments reinstated. However, that is not immediate. If Ukraine could convince the EU and NATO to fill the gap between now and January 20th when a new congress convenes, that might help. If there is some certainty that supporting Ukraine without US participation is temporary, rather than a long-term project, there might be more willingness to be more generous. I can't stress how many Americans are sick of this regime - even those who voted for him and now feel buyers' remorse. If only the American press could do more to keep Ukraine and the efforts at defense of not only Europe, but Western democracy, forefront in the news, that would be helpful. But there's a newer, more interesting war with Iran that is not only deflecting attention, but using up weapons and other resources as well.
😱 I was outraged to learn that AUSTRALIA is prosecuting a citizen, and now to learn that South Korea & other countries do the same ? But then I thought back to perhaps how some of it has arisen and wondered if it was to counter people going to Germany to fight for the Nazis? Or going to Russia & fighting for Stalin/Putin? I like the solution of the ability to nullify such laws via a pardon, as it means you can still seek to prevent fighting for your "enemies" against your allies, but allow the opposite to occur without a complicated legal statute! (🤔 And in South Korea's case - preventing citizens going to fight for North Korea in essence by joining their military?)
Although I deplore the concept of "war" in theory, in practice unless SOMEONE steps up & defends/fights back against aggression then the whole of the free world would soon end up subjugated under authoritarian regimes from either inside or outside - such as Putin or Kim 😡
👍 It is especially admirable to fight for your principles in another country under threat, especially when you risk imprisonment in our own country for doing do - double the courage & integrity 🫂💛💙 Thank you once again for sharing a unique perspective on this "war" 🤗