Navy SEAL-turned-YouTuber leaves for Ukraine to participate in war

Rhee Keun, a former Navy special warfare officer who recently gained huge popularity through the reality show "Fake Men" on YouTube, has said he left for Ukraine to take part in the war against Russia as a volunteer soldier.

The former lieutenant said he initially sought to leave for Ukraine through a formal procedure but gave up the plan after receiving an answer for his inquiry from the government that people can be treated as a criminal and punished by imprisonment of one year or a fine of 10 million won (US$8,210) if they enter countries banned from travel.

After Rhee's departure, the foreign ministry warned that the group's passports would be nullified if they are confirmed have entered the war-torn country without permission.