Ryu Seong-hyeon

Ryu Seong-hyeon (Korean: 류성현) is a North Korean defector and former soldier who gained international attention after his rare defection across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to South Korea in 2019.

Early life and Military Service Ryu was born in Kangwon Province, near the inter-Korean border in North Korea.

Life in South Korea and Activism After arriving in South Korea, Ryu adapted to his new life and became a university student.

Russia-Ukraine War Ryu gained significant attention in late 2024 and early 2025 for his analysis of the deployment of North Korean troops to the Russian frontlines in Ukraine. He has stated that North Korean soldiers are told their families will face execution if they are captured alive, leading many to prefer suicide over surrender.

He has described the North Korean soldiers sent to Russia as "cannon fodder" who are often young, underfed, and cut off from the outside world.