Kim Jong Un facing arrest warrant? Ukraine advised to file complaint with ICC
Photo: Kim Jong Un, North Korean dictator (Getty Images)
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un may be held accountable for supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. Kyiv may file a complaint against the DPRK with the International Criminal Court, states former ICC head Song Sang-hyun, according to Yonhap.
"The time is right to bring Kim Jong-un before the ICC," said Sun Sang-hyun, adding that Pyongyang’s military assistance to Russia has provided Ukraine with legal grounds to file a complaint against North Korea.
According to him, Ukraine’s complaint as a country affected by aggression is "very ideal." However, even without it, the ICC has the authority to initiate an independent investigation against North Korea.
Sun Sang-hyun pointed out that the ICC arrest warrant has no statute of limitations, requires the accused to "carry the stigma for their entire life" and imposes "significant psychological punishment," including a ban on visiting the 124 countries that are ICC members.
North Korea’s involvement in the war
As a reminder, last year, North Korea sent its soldiers to participate in Russia’s war against Ukraine. They were spotted in the Kursk region.
Only on April 26 did Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov officially acknowledge that North Koreans are involved in the war against Ukraine. This marked the first official recognition by Russia of North Korean soldiers’ participation in combat operations.
According to South Korean data, North Korea has lost about 4,700 military personnel during its involvement in the war against Ukraine. This figure includes both seriously wounded and deceased soldiers.
