The Story of 95-Year-Old POW Who Wants to Return to North Korea to Die

A 95-year-old North Korean prisoner of war has lived almost his entire life in South Korea, but his final wish is to return home.

Ahn Hak-seop, who was captured during the Korean War, is pleading with authorities to allow him to die on home soil.

Ahn was captured in 1953, the final year of the war. He served as an intelligence officer in the North Korean People’s Army. At the time of the armistice, he was just 23.

While thousands of prisoners were repatriated through a large-scale exchange known as Operation Big Switch, Ahn was not among them.

He was classified as a "pro-communist enemy of the state" for refusing to renounce his ideology.

Decades of Refusal

For the next 42 years, Ahn was imprisoned in South Korea. He was considered an "unconverted long-term prisoner" because he would not abandon his political beliefs.

Despite the immense pressure, he remained firm in his convictions.

In 2000, under a more engaging South Korean administration, 63 other unconverted prisoners were repatriated to North Korea.

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At that time, Ahn chose to stay behind. He vowed to continue his activism in the South, campaigning for reunification and calling for the withdrawal of US troops from the peninsula.

He spent his years fighting for a cause he believed in, even after his release.

"I’m not looking for a life in the North—I know I could die today or tomorrow."

A Final Plea for Home

Now, at 95 years old and with failing health, Ahn’s priorities have shifted. He no longer has the strength to continue his political work and has a single, personal wish: to be buried alongside his comrades in North Korea.

His health has become a major concern, and he is reportedly suffering from a chronic lung condition.

Earlier this week, with the help of activists, Ahn attempted to make a symbolic walk across a border bridge. He was stopped by South Korean troops for not having permission to enter the restricted area. He was later taken to a hospital due to his deteriorating health.

An Uncertain Future

According to the BBC, the South Korean government has acknowledged Ahn's request. Officials from the Unification Ministry have stated that they are reviewing the issue.

They have expressed sympathy for his situation, noting that not much time is left for the few remaining prisoners who desire to return to the North.

However, the political climate between North and South Korea has worsened in recent years. This complicates any potential diplomatic move.

North Korea has not yet responded to queries about Ahn’s status. For a man who has lived his life caught in the crossfire of history, the final chapter remains unwritten.