South Korea and Ukraine Consider Options for North Korean POWs
South Korea is prepared to accept North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukraine, provided they express a willingness to defect. This situation arises amid concerns about the fate of these soldiers, with reports indicating significant North Korean troop involvement alongside Russian forces. Discussions between officials from both countries reflect a cautious approach to the complex issue of military defection.
The governments of South Korea and Ukraine have engaged in discussions regarding the future of North Korean prisoners of war captured during the ongoing conflict. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul communicated with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, expressing that South Korea is willing to accept these North Korean soldiers. However, this acceptance is contingent upon the soldiers’ willingness to relocate to South Korea, which would recognize them as South Korean citizens should they choose to defect.
Ukraine estimates that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russia’s military operations, marking a significant deployment of North Korean troops abroad. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukrainian forces have inflicted casualties on about 4,000 North Korean soldiers during engagements in the Kursk region, an area they entered as part of a notable counterattack into Russian-held territory.
Despite these reports, Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the presence of North Korean troops in the conflict. This denial follows the agreement they reached last November, which provides mutual support in case of external aggression. In a January statement, President Zelensky revealed that two wounded North Korean soldiers were captured during the fighting in Kursk and shared footage of one soldier showing interest in remaining in Ukraine.
Further complicating the situation, one of the captured soldiers allegedly reached out to South Korean media, expressing a desire to defect and inquire about asylum. Concerns have been raised regarding the consequences North Korean soldiers may face if captured, with defector Pak Yusung indicating that information disclosure could lead to dire repercussions for their families, including imprisonment or execution.
In summary, South Korea’s readiness to accept North Korean prisoners of war hinges upon their willingness to defect, while Ukraine grapples with the implications of North Korean troops participating in its conflict with Russia. The ongoing dialogue between the two nations highlights the complexities of international military cooperation and the dire consequences for captured soldiers within the context of North Korea’s political regime.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
