Cho Chang-ho (military officer)

Cho Chang-ho (born c. 1963) is a retired South Korean Army warrant officer who is notable for his long captivity in North Korea after straying across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in 1996.

Cho served as a signal specialist in the South Korean Army. On October 3, 1996, while attempting to retrieve a damaged signal wire near the DMZ, he inadvertently crossed the Military Demarcation Line into North Korean territory. He was immediately captured by North Korean soldiers.

Cho was held captive for approximately 13 years, during which time he was subjected to interrogation, forced labor, and ideological indoctrination. The exact details of his captivity remain somewhat unclear, but reports suggest he faced harsh conditions and psychological pressure.

Negotiations for Cho's release involved various parties, including the South Korean government, the United Nations Command, and the North Korean government. His case garnered significant media attention in South Korea, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two Koreas and the plight of those separated by the Korean War and the DMZ.

Cho Chang-ho was finally released and repatriated to South Korea in September 2009. Upon his return, he underwent debriefing and medical examinations. His experiences as a prisoner of war led him to become a vocal advocate for other South Koreans believed to be held in North Korea. He has also spoken publicly about the psychological and emotional impact of his captivity.

His story serves as a reminder of the lingering effects of the Korean War and the ongoing division of the Korean Peninsula. While he reintegrated into South Korean society, the trauma of his captivity remains a significant part of his life.