'Fleed' To Poland And Allegedly Planning To Fight Against Russian Invasion Of Ukraine, South Korean Marines Detained

JAKARTA - South Korea's military authorities announced the detention of a Marine conscript who 'runaway', flew without approval to Poland about a month ago and is suspected of supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, Monday.

The Ginseng State military police arrested him upon arriving home earlier in the day, according to the South Korean Marine Corps, as reported by the Korea Times April 25.

The man, whose name has been withheld from the media, left for Poland on March 21. He then attempted to enter Ukraine via the Polish border but was denied access to the war-torn country.

Korean military officials and diplomats have since tried to persuade him to return home. They couldn't force him to fly back home in an area outside Korean jurisdiction.

"We will take decisive action in accordance with laws and regulations, after investigating why he left his area of duty," the Marine Corps said in a statement.

By law, active service members must obtain prior approval before traveling abroad during holidays. Otherwise, they could be punished for desertion.

South Korea has banned its citizens from traveling to Ukraine since mid-February amid security concerns.