Ukraine and South Korea Engage in Repatriation Talks for North Korean Soldiers
South Korea and Ukraine are in talks over the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul stated that Seoul is ready to accept two POWs. Recent interviews revealed the soldiers serve in North Korea’s military intelligence agency, the RGB, rather than special operations. No repatriation requests have been made by the soldiers yet.
Discussions between South Korea and Ukraine have recently focused on the repatriation of North Korean soldiers who were captured by Ukrainian forces. These talks were reported by Yonhap news agency, which highlighted a conversation between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha regarding this matter. Minister Cho noted that South Korea is prepared to accept two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) should they express a desire to move to South Korea.
The initial reports of consultations between the two nations concerning this issue emerged in January 2025. According to South Korea’s constitution, the entirety of the Korean Peninsula is recognized as South Korean territory, thereby treating all North Korean residents as citizens of South Korea. However, it is important to note that none of the captured soldiers have yet indicated a wish to be transferred to South Korea.
An interview conducted by South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper on February 19 shed light on the identities and affiliations of the captured North Korean soldiers. Identified as Ri, a 26-year-old sniper-reconnaissance officer, and Baek, a 21-year-old rifleman, both individuals claimed to serve in the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), which operates under the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army. This differs from previous speculations that connected them to the 11th “Storm” Corps, North Korea’s special operations forces.
The RGB is known as North Korea’s military intelligence agency, though the specific unit affiliations of the captured soldiers are not definitively established. It is suggested that, during military reforms, certain RGB intelligence units may have been reassigned to the special operations forces or placed under their command during the ongoing conflict in the Kursk Oblast.
The ongoing discussions between South Korea and Ukraine regarding the repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers emphasize South Korea’s readiness to welcome these individuals should they choose to be repatriated. The revelations surrounding their military affiliations point to their service under the Reconnaissance General Bureau rather than a direct association with North Korea’s special operations. The situation remains dynamic, with no current requests submitted for repatriation by the captured soldiers.
Original Source: mil.in.ua
