Ukraine and South Korea Collaborate on Repatriation of North Korean Soldiers
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul discussed the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war. Cho affirmed their status as South Korean citizens and their right to return. The conversation also covered cooperation for Ukrainian reconstruction. Recent intelligence indicates North Korean military deployment in Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga engaged in a telephone discussion with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul to address the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war. According to Yonhap, the prominent South Korean news outlet, Cho noted that these captured individuals are regarded as South Korean citizens under the Constitution and their wishes to return to South Korea, rather than the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), will be honored.
During the dialogue, Minister Cho emphasized South Korea’s commitment to collaborate with various nations to facilitate peace and support the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Minister Sybiga, for his part, provided updates on Ukraine’s ongoing negotiations with the United States aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia, highlighting the critical need for international cooperation to achieve lasting peace.
On October 24, 2024, Ukrainian intelligence reported the deployment of North Korean military personnel to the front lines in the Kursk region, numbering around 12,000, which includes 500 officers and three generals. President Volodymyr Zelensky shared that over 3,000 DPRK soldiers are believed to have been killed or injured, while South Korean intelligence estimates about 300 fatalities and nearly 2,700 wounded.
Zelensky initially revealed on December 27, 2024, that some North Korean soldiers had been captured by Ukrainian forces, though those individuals succumbed to injuries. A subsequent capture occurred in January, and Ukraine expressed readiness to exchange these prisoners for their soldiers. Currently, two North Korean soldiers are confirmed as being held by Ukraine.
Intelligence suggests that a fresh contingent of North Korean troops was dispatched to Russia in February 2025, slated for deployment along the contact line in the Kursk region, where Russian military forces are attempting to counteract Ukrainian efforts.
The recent dialogue between Ukraine and South Korea highlights key issues surrounding the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, with both nations expressing a commitment to peace and reconstruction. Reports of DPRK military involvement in the Ukraine conflict underscore ongoing geopolitical tensions, as both Ukrainian and South Korean governments monitor the situation closely and emphasize international cooperation.
Original Source: babel.ua
