Seoul and Kyiv Engage in Discussions on North Korean POW Transfer

Ukraine is in negotiations with South Korea regarding the transfer of two North Korean POWs captured during the ongoing conflict. South Korea’s Foreign Minister emphasized constitutional provisions regarding the status of North Koreans, while recent military engagements have led to significant losses among North Korean troops supporting Russia.

On March 17, 2025, negotiations between Ukraine and South Korea commenced regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha engaged in discussions via phone about this potential transfer. Minister Cho emphasized that, according to South Korean constitutional law, North Koreans are regarded as South Korean citizens, contingent upon their expressed desire to relocate.

Last fall, approximately 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 Korean soldiers on January 11, 2025. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously indicated that North Korean troops suffered substantial losses, with approximately 4,000 casualties, including a significant number of fatalities among the soldiers due to their lack of combat experience and reliance on human wave attacks with inadequate equipment.

The ongoing negotiations between South Korea and Ukraine regarding the potential transfer of North Korean POWs underscore the complexities of international military engagements and humanitarian considerations. South Korea’s constitutional stance on North Korean citizens adds a significant layer to this dialogue, contingent on the voluntary wish of the POWs to relocate. This situation also highlights the broader implications of military dynamics at play in the current conflict.

Original Source: kyivindependent.com