Seoul and Kyiv Engage in POW Transfer Negotiations Regarding North Korean Soldiers
Ukraine is negotiating with South Korea to transfer two North Korean soldiers captured on January 11. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul confirmed the discussion with Ukraine’s Andrii Sybiha, highlighting that POWs must desire to move to South Korea. North Korean troops have suffered heavy casualties, which are attributed to inexperience and tactics employed in combat.
On March 17, 2025, Ukraine began negotiations with South Korea regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers who were taken prisoner during the conflict. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul communicated this during a phone call with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha. Cho explained that North Koreans are regarded as South Korean citizens under the nation’s Constitution, but the prisoners must show a desire to relocate before any transfer occurs.
Last fall, around 12,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia’s Kursk Oblast to assist in countering Ukraine’s military actions initiated in August 2024. Ukrainian forces captured the two North Koreans as prisoners of war on January 11. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the North Korean forces suffered significant casualties, totaling around 4,000, with a majority of these deaths due to combat losses.
Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence, attributed the high casualty rate of the North Korean troops to their inexperience in combat and a reliance on aggressive human wave attacks despite inadequate equipment. This discussion of POW transfer highlights the ongoing complexities and ramifications of international military engagements between these countries.
The negotiations between Ukraine and South Korea for the transfer of North Korean POWs illustrates the intricate dynamics of military conflicts and international relations. The significant losses of North Korean forces shed light on the high stakes of the ongoing warfare, while South Korea’s constitutional stance regarding North Korean citizens raises complex legal and ethical issues regarding POW treatment and relocation.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
