Ukraine and South Korea Engage in Talks on North Korean Soldier Repatriation

South Korea and Ukraine are discussing the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul indicated willingness to accept two POWs if they choose to. Interviews with the captured soldiers confirm their affiliation with North Korea’s military intelligence agency but no requests for repatriation have been made so far.

Recently, South Korea and Ukraine engaged in discussions regarding the repatriation of North Korean soldiers who have been captured by Ukrainian forces. The conversations were confirmed by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, revealing that South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul communicated by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, to address this matter. Minister Cho stated that Seoul is willing to accept two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) should they express a desire to relocate to South Korea.

The consultations between Ukraine and South Korea regarding the repatriation of the soldiers were first reported in January 2025. According to South Korean law, the entirety of the Korean Peninsula is recognized as part of its territory, which essentially designates all North Korean residents as South Korean citizens. Notably, none of the captured North Korean soldiers have so far indicated a wish to be transferred to South Korea.

On February 19, the Chosun Ilbo, a South Korean newspaper, published interviews with the captured North Korean soldiers, identifying them as Ri, a 26-year-old sniper-reconnaissance officer, and Baek, a 21-year-old rifleman. Both soldiers disclosed that they are members of the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), the military intelligence agency of North Korea, as opposed to being part of the 11th “Storm” Corps as previously suggested. Their specific unit affiliations remain ambiguous, although possible reorganizations due to military reforms may have integrated some intelligence units under special operations command during the recent conflict in the Kursk oblast.

In conclusion, the discussions between South Korea and Ukraine highlight the complexities surrounding the fate of captured North Korean soldiers. While the possibility of repatriation exists, none of the soldiers have demonstrated a desire to move to South Korea. Moreover, insights from interviews reveal key affiliations of the captives to the Reconnaissance General Bureau, underscoring the need for continued monitoring of this evolving situation.

Original Source: mil.in.ua