Ukraine and South Korea Address Repatriation of Captured North Korean Soldiers
South Korea and Ukraine are discussing the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces. South Korea’s Foreign Minister states readiness to accept two POWs. Interviews reveal the soldiers belong to North Korea’s military intelligence, disputing previous assumptions about their unit affiliations. No requests for relocation to South Korea have been made as of now.
Discussions concerning the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces have been held between South Korea and Ukraine. These discussions were reported by the Yonhap news agency. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul conversed with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, addressing the matter and indicating that Seoul is prepared to accept two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs), should they desire to relocate to South Korea.
Initial reports about consultations between the two countries regarding this matter surfaced in January 2025. Under South Korea’s constitution, the entirety of the Korean Peninsula is recognized as its territory, thereby acknowledging all North Korean residents as South Korean citizens. Currently, none of the captured soldiers have expressed a desire to be transferred to South Korea.
On February 19, the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo conducted interviews with the captured North Korean soldiers, identifying them as Ri, aged 26, a sniper-reconnaissance officer, and Baek, aged 21, a rifleman. Both individuals confirmed their service in the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) of the Korean People’s Army, refuting prior notions that they belonged to the 11th “Storm” Corps of North Korea’s special operations forces.
The RGB serves as North Korea’s military intelligence agency. While their specific unit affiliations remain unclear, it includes several units such as 180, 91, and 525. Furthermore, it is plausible that, due to military reforms, some intelligence units from the RGB have been reassigned to special operations forces or are currently operating under special operations command during conflicts in the Kursk oblast.
In summary, South Korea and Ukraine are engaging in discussions regarding the possible repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers, with South Korea ready to accept two POWs if they willfully seek relocation. The captured soldiers have been identified, and their affiliation with military intelligence has been confirmed, dispelling earlier misconceptions. None have requested relocation to South Korea thus far, highlighting the complexities of the ongoing situation.
Original Source: mil.in.ua
