South Korea and Ukraine discussed the fate of North Korean prisoners of war, with South Korea ready to accept them if they express a desire to defect. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties among North Korean soldiers assisting Russia, leading to concerns for their safety and treatment if captured. Defector Pak Yusung highlighted the potential severe consequences for these soldiers’ families, amplifying the urgency for resolution.
South Korea and Ukraine have initiated discussions regarding the fate of North Korean prisoners of war. According to reports from the state news agency Yonhap, South Korea expressed its willingness to accept these prisoners, contingent upon their individual desire to relocate. Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul communicated this stance during a phone conversation with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, emphasizing that any willing prisoners would be regarded as South Korean citizens upon expressing the intent to defect.
Estimates suggest that North Korea has deployed approximately 11,000 soldiers to assist Russia in its military conflict, marking the first occasion the nation has sent troops abroad. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukrainian forces have caused significant casualties among these troops, with around 4,000 North Koreans reportedly killed or wounded in fighting in the Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces entered during a critical counteroffensive last August.
Moscow and Pyongyang have consistently denied the presence of North Korean troops in the warfare, despite a mutual defense pact established in November that commits both nations to provide support to one another in the case of external attacks. In a notable instance in January, President Zelensky announced the capture of two wounded North Korean soldiers from the battlefield in Kursk, one of whom indicated a desire to remain in Ukraine. Reports indicate that one soldier expressed to South Korea’s Chosun newspaper his willingness to defect and requested asylum.
These discussions come amidst significant concerns regarding the treatment of captured North Korean soldiers. Defector Pak Yusung articulated these fears, stating, “If the soldiers are captured and tell information to the enemy, their families will be punished, go to a political prison camp, or worse, they will be executed in front of the people.”
The dialogue between South Korea and Ukraine surrounding North Korean prisoners of war highlights pressing humanitarian concerns and the geopolitical complexities of the ongoing conflict. South Korea’s readiness to accept defectors, coupled with the alarming implications for captured soldiers and their families, underscores the need for international dialogue and resolutions regarding the treatment of individuals caught in this conflict. As the situation continues to develop, the welfare of these soldiers and their potential relocation remains a significant issue.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
