Aging North Korean Defector’s Quest to Return Highlights Dangerous Softness in Seoul’s Security Posture

In an age fraught with rising threats from Pyongyang, the story of Ahn Hak-sop—a 95-year-old former North Korean soldier now living in South Korea—unfolds as more than a mere anecdote of personal conviction. It is a sobering reflection on how Seoul’s current leadership continues to stumble over fundamental questions of national security and sovereignty.Why Is South Korea Hesitant to Secure Its Borders?Ahn, who endured 42 years imprisoned by South authorities after being captured near the end of the Korean War, recently attempted a symbolic march toward the inter-Korean border waving a North Korean flag. His demand: repatriation to the regime...