Korean YouTuber who went to Ukraine to fight in war faces sanctions for unauthorized travel

A Korean YouTuber and former Korean Navy officer who went to Ukraine to help the country fight the war against Russia is facing imprisonment in South Korea after he and two colleagues violated a government-imposed travel ban.

Rhee Ken, 37, and his two companions went to Ukraine. He announced on March 6 that he was leaving for Ukraine to be a volunteer soldier. They arrived in Ukraine on March 7.

He runs the YouTube channel Rokseal and is a founder of the military consulting firm Rokseal. His bio on the company website listed Rhee as UDT/Seal Platoon Commander of Special Missions Unit, Seal Delivery Vehicle Unit and Naval Special Warfare Center; private military contractor; DOS security investigator; United Nations security officer; and Rokseal founder.

Rhee also appeared on Korean TV programs including “Fake Men” and “Radio Star.”

However, his two companions left Ukraine and arrived in South Korea on March 16, leaving Rhee by himself.

"My teammates have safely left Ukraine, and I am here by myself now. There is a lot to do here,” said Rhee in an Instagram post, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily.

In South Korea, Rhee is facing imprisonment, fine and cancellation of his passport for violating the government travel ban to Ukraine.

Last Feb. 12, the Korean government imposed a Level 4 restriction (travel ban) for all Korean nationals from going to Ukraine starting on Feb. 13 due to the situation in that country.

Rhee went to Ukraine without the Korean government’s permission. According to a post by Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if a Korean national goes to Ukraine without permission, he will be subjected to criminal punishment and administrative sanctions for violating the country’s passport law.

If found guilty, Rhee may be imprisoned for up to one year or subjected to a fine of 10 million won ($8.249).

The Korean government may order Rhee to return his passport. If not returned, the passport will be canceled. Rhee’s application for a new passport may be rejected or restricted.

Last March 8, the foreign affairs ministry stated that “recently, there was a media report that Korean citizens entered Ukraine without permission to participate in the Ukrainian government foreign corps without obtaining permission to use an exceptional passport.”

It reiterated the criminal and administrative punishments that may be imposed on any citizen violating the travel ban to Ukraine.

The foreign ministry filed a complaint with the police on March 10 against Rhee and his two companions.

In a survey by Korean firm Real Research among 3,000 adult Korean men and women on March 10 and 11, 56.7 percent of the respondents expressed their support for Rhee’s decision to go to Ukraine.

About his going to Ukraine, 49.77 percent of the respondents said it appears to be the righteous act of helping someone, 33.63 said it seems to be an action to attract attention on YouTube and social media and 16.6 percent said it is an act of finding a place to show one’s abilities.

On whether he should be punished or not for going to Ukraine without permission, 57.63 percent said he should be punished while 42.37 percent said he should not be punished.