Seoul and Kyiv Negotiate Transfer of North Korean POWs

Ukraine is negotiating with South Korea to transfer two North Korean POWs captured during conflict. The conversation between the foreign ministers highlighted the legal status of North Koreans as South Korean citizens, contingent on their desire to move. This follows substantial casualties among North Korean troops fighting for Russia.

On March 17, 2025, it was reported by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency that Ukraine is currently engaged in negotiations with South Korea regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers who are being held as prisoners of war (POWs). The conversation took place between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, focusing on the potential handover of the North Korean POWs.

Minister Cho emphasized that under the South Korean Constitution, North Koreans are regarded as South Korean citizens; however, the prisoners must indicate their willingness to relocate to South Korea. This situation arises in the context of up to 12,000 North Korean troops being deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast last fall as part of military actions against Ukraine’s border incursions that began in August 2024.

Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers on January 11, 2025, during this conflict. Reports indicate that North Korean troops supporting Russia have faced significant losses, with President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that 4,000 North Korean soldiers were casualties—of which approximately two-thirds were killed. Ukrainian military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, attributed these substantial losses to North Korea’s limited combat experience paired with aggressive tactics involving human wave assaults utilizing inadequate equipment.

In summary, discussions are underway between Seoul and Kyiv regarding the transfer of two North Korean POWs. The South Korean administration recognizes these individuals as citizens but insists on their consent for relocation. This negotiation underscores the intricate dynamics of the ongoing conflict, particularly regarding the involvement of North Korean forces.

Original Source: kyivindependent.com