The young North Korean soldier who defected at the Demilitarized Zone last week has been captivated by American films and television shows since he woke up at a South Korean hospital.
The soldier reportedly ran because of the positive images of South Korea he had come across, the Korea Herald introduced, citing Dr. Lee Cook-Jung, the trauma surgeon who saved the man’s life. Since he regained consciousness, the man has been listening to K-pop and watching American movies and television shows with a deep fascination.
To make his escape, the 24-year-old soldier identified only as “Oh,” drove a jeep to the Joint Security Area and then bolted into South Korea on foot, his comrades in hot pursuit, firing multiple rounds at the fleeing soldier. He was shot multiple times, but he made it across the border before collapsing in a pile of leaves. The North Korean was rescued by South Korean troops and taken to Ajou University Hospital in Suwon.
Unconscious for over a week, the wounded man underwent two major surgeries to remove the bullets, as well as combat infection and eliminate enormous parasites in his stomach and intestines. He is also suffering from Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and a number of other ailments, but doctors report that the worst appears to be over, as he is now awake and communicating with the medical staff, who are also reportedly treating the man for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“He is fine,” Dr. Lee Cook-Jung, the trauma surgeon who saved Oh’s life, explained. “The patient is not going to die.”
Since the North Korean soldier, a suspected staff sergeant, woke up, he has been watching by American movies and shows. Watching the movie “Transporter,” a film about a mercenary driver, Oh said that he also drove fast like Jason Stathem’s character. The doctors are avoiding asking him questions about North Korea because they are concerned that doing so might negatively affect the young man.
The North Korean defector can’t seem to get enough of American films and television shows, as well as South Korean K-pop. He reportedly very much enjoys American crime dramas like “CSI.” The man also likes the female K-pop group Girls’ Generation, as he requested the medical personnel at the hospital play three different versions of the same song.
Watch: North Korean Soldier Makes Mad Dash Into South Korea
Send tips to ryan@
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
