Seoul and Kyiv Discuss the Transfer of North Korean POWs to South Korea
Ukraine is in negotiations with South Korea about transferring two North Korean POWs. A phone call between the South Korean and Ukrainian foreign ministers addressed the transfer process. The South Korean government recognizes North Koreans as citizens but requires the POWs’ consent for relocation. North Korean troops, supporting Russia, have experienced significant casualties in combat.
On March 17, 2025, negotiations between Ukraine and South Korea were reported regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers who were captured by Ukrainian forces. The discussion took place between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, via telephone, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Minister Cho emphasized that under South Korean law, North Korean individuals are regarded as citizens of South Korea. However, it is essential that these prisoners express a willingness to relocate to South Korea. These two soldiers were captured on January 11, during the ongoing conflict where North Korean troops had been sent to support Russia against Ukraine.
Approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast last autumn to assist in countering Ukraine’s cross-border incursions initiated in August 2024. President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that North Korean forces engaged alongside Russia had sustained significant losses, estimating around 4,000 casualties, approximately two-thirds of which were fatalities, primarily attributed to their combat inexperience and tactics involving human wave attacks.
In summary, Ukraine and South Korea are engaged in discussions regarding the potential transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured during the conflict. The South Korean government views these individuals as citizens, but any transfer hinges on their express wish to relocate. This matter highlights the complex dynamics of international relations amid ongoing hostilities in the region, particularly concerning North Korean military involvement.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
