Kyiv and Seoul Discuss Repatriation of North Korean Prisoners of War

Ukrainian and South Korean diplomats discussed the repatriation of North Korean POWs, with South Korea ready to accept them as citizens. There’s concern over the implications of this decision amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where North Korean soldiers are actively involved. The captured soldiers have not expressed a desire to defect thus far, complicating the repatriation efforts.

Ukrainian and South Korean diplomats recently discussed the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, according to Yonhap News Agency. As the situation escalates in Ukraine, North Korean soldiers have become increasingly involved due to Russian manpower shortages. This dialogue highlights a sensitive matter, as South Korea considers the implications of accepting these soldiers, who it recognizes as citizens under its constitution.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister, Cho Tae-yul, communicated with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, expressing readiness to accept North Korean prisoners if they choose to defect. This decision is part of a broader humanitarian stance, as Seoul has previously welcomed 34,000 North Korean defectors since the late 1990s. Ukraine had captured its first two North Korean soldiers alive in January, who received medical care and are currently in custody.

The presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine was confirmed by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in October 2024. Pyongyang is believed to have deployed approximately 12,000 soldiers to support Russian forces, with reports indicating that one-third of these troops have been either injured or killed in active combat. South Korea’s intelligence agency noted that the captured DPRK soldiers had not expressed a desire to defect to South Korea, underscoring the complexities of the situation.

Seoul has also shown concern regarding escalating cooperation between Russia and North Korea, as its Joint Chiefs of Staff indicated that further troop deployments from Pyongyang could happen following substantial losses sustained earlier in the conflict. In response to the presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, officials noted that these troops are significantly impacting the war’s dynamics.

In a post on social media, Sybiha expressed gratitude for South Korea’s solidarity with Ukraine, stressing the risks posed by the growing Russia-DPRK coalition. Conversely, data from various sources raise concerns about the legality of linking prisoner repatriation with arms trading, with a North Korean defector highlighting potential violations of international law by Ukrainian authorities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the capture of North Korean military personnel, ensuring they are receiving necessary medical care and emphasizing that capturing these individuals was a challenging endeavor given Russia’s tactics towards its wounded soldiers. He called for transparency regarding their treatment to illuminate the realities of the conflict.

As discussions continue, North Korea has yet to respond to South Korea’s offer regarding the captured prisoners. The ongoing dynamic raises significant questions about humanitarian responsibilities and geopolitical ramifications in the broader context of the conflict.

The discussions between Ukrainian and South Korean officials over the fate of North Korean prisoners of war underscore complex geopolitical dynamics amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. South Korea’s willingness to accept these prisoners as citizens reflects its humanitarian policy, but it also introduces potential diplomatic tensions with both North Korea and Russia. The situation remains fluid, with both nations weighing their options in response to the evolving war.

Original Source: www.newsweek.com