South Korea and Ukraine are negotiating the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured by Kyiv. This conversation, led by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, involves constitutional considerations of North Korean citizenship in South Korea and the expressed desire of the POWs to relocate. Ukraine has reported significant casualties among North Korean troops due to their lack of combat experience.
On March 17, 2025, South Korea and Ukraine engaged in discussions regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers, currently held as prisoners of war by Ukraine. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to explore this potential transfer. Under South Korea’s Constitution, North Koreans are classified as South Korean citizens; however, it is mandated that the prisoners must express their willingness to move to South Korea.
The backdrop to this negotiation stems from significant military movements in recent months. Up to 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia’s Kursk Oblast to counteract Ukraine’s cross-border actions initiated in August 2024. Ukrainian forces succeeded in capturing two North Korean soldiers on January 11. President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that North Korean troops supporting Russia have sustained approximately 4,000 casualties, with most being fatalities due to combat inexperience and tactics that often involve human wave assaults with inadequate equipment.
The negotiations between South Korea and Ukraine to potentially transfer North Korean POWs signify a complex intersection of international relations, military strategy, and humanitarian issues. The constitutional implications of North Korean citizenship in South Korea further underscore the legal and moral challenges involved. Ultimately, the decision rests on the prisoners’ willingness to relocate, a critical aspect of this diplomatic dialogue.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
