South Korea and Ukraine are engaged in discussions about the repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul communicated with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, confirming that South Korea is prepared to accept two POWs. Interviews with the captured soldiers revealed their military affiliation, countering previous assumptions regarding their units. So far, no POWs have requested to transfer to South Korea.
Recent discussions between South Korea and Ukraine have focused on the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces. According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul conversed with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, to address this situation. Minister Cho expressed South Korea’s willingness to accept two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) should they express a desire to relocate to South Korea.
Speculations regarding these vital consultations emerged in January 2025. As per South Korea’s constitution, the entire Korean Peninsula is acknowledged as its territory, meaning all residents from North Korea are considered South Korean citizens. However, it is noteworthy that no captured soldiers have thus far expressed intent to be transferred to South Korea.
On February 19, the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo published interviews with the captured North Korean soldiers, identified as Ri, a 26-year-old sniper-reconnaissance officer, and Baek, a 21-year-old rifleman. Both soldiers revealed their affiliation with the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) under the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, countering earlier speculation linking them to the 11th “Storm” Corps of North Korea’s special operations forces.
The RGB serves as North Korea’s military intelligence agency, although the exact particulars concerning their unit remain unclear. It is plausible that certain RGB intelligence units may have been integrated into special operations forces amidst military reforms during the conflict in the Kursk oblast region.
Support for independent military journalism remains crucial, with a call for donations or subscriptions to sustain reliable information streams.
In conclusion, the ongoing dialogue between South Korea and Ukraine centers on the potential repatriation of North Korean soldiers, reflecting on international cooperation in matters of military affairs. Although some soldiers have been identified and interviewed, none have requested migration to South Korea yet. The situation highlights the complexities surrounding military intelligence in North Korea and the implications of constitutional recognition of North Korean citizens in the South.
Original Source: mil.in.ua
