Unconverted long-term political prisoner Ahn Hak Seop (96 years old) is continuing his struggle, demanding repatriation to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea via a third country and attempting direct return through Panmunjom.

Ahn Hak Seop is a prisoner of war who was captured alive while fighting at Mt. Sorak as a squad leader of Unit 941 of the Korean People's Army during the Korean War. The US military command, which was responsible for the repatriation of prisoners of war in accordance with the Armistice Agreement, conspired with the Syngman Rhee puppet regime, transformed him into a “spy”, and viciously prevented his return to the DPRK. As a result, the puppet authorities of the Republic of Korea framed him with the false charge of “espionage” and sentenced him to life imprisonment, and during his 42 years and 4 months of prison life, they carried out conversion operations filled with torture, violence and appeasement. Since his release, the surveillance and suppression by the public security authorities have continued to this day.

In 2000, when 63 unconverted long-term prisoners had the opportunity to return to the fatherland thanks to the June 15 Joint Declaration, Ahn Hak Seop remained in the south, saying he would continue the struggle until the US troops completely withdrew from this land. He has continued the path of anti-US struggle with the conviction that he could not leave, handing over the inner room to a robber.

Amid the deteriorating health of Ahn Hak Seop, the Promotion Committee for the Repatriation of Ahn Hak Seop formally submitted a civil petition to the government demanding repatriation in July 2025, and held a press conference on July 18, urging the immediate repatriation of Ahn Hak Seop through Panmunjom in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

On August 20, 2025, Ahn Hak Seop personally attempted to return through Panmunjom. Although he was blocked by the military authorities at the entrance to the bridge leading to Panmunjom, Ahn Hak Seop, holding the flag of the DPRK in his hand, stated: “As a prisoner of war, I demand repatriation to my home country. My fatherland is the DPRK, and I want to report my return to duty there and close my eyes.”

Afterwards, on October 16, at a press conference, he formally demanded repatriation via a third country.

However, while the authorities of the Republic of Korea are delaying the repatriation on the pretext that there is no response from the northern side, they are openly pursuing a hostile policy towards the DPRK including a preemptive nuclear strike, and expanding and intensifying aggressive joint military exercises with the US forces. Moreover, they are maintaining the fascist evil law, the National Security Law, which defines the DPRK as the “enemy”. This is the real barrier blocking the repatriation of Ahn Hak Seop.

At the advanced age of 96, Ahn Hak Seop's health has deteriorated extremely due to a lung tumour and other ailments. He frequently loses consciousness and is taken to the emergency room, and the hospital has diagnosed that it would not be surprising if he died suddenly at any time. He is appealing for return with the single desire to be buried in his native land, not in the colonial land occupied by the US military.

The Promotion Committee for the Repatriation of Ahn Hak Seop is urging the immediate repatriation of Ahn Hak Seop, the prisoner of war, and is making known the justness of the withdrawal of US troops and the abolition of the National Security Law.