South Korea proposes cooperation with Ukraine regarding North Korean POWs, offering to accept captured soldiers seeking relocation. This follows reports of thousands of North Korean troops supporting Russian forces in Ukraine. Minister Cho Tae-yul emphasized commitment to assisting POWs, while Ukrainian defense intelligence highlighted significant losses among North Korean forces in the conflict.
South Korea has reached out to Ukraine to propose collaboration regarding North Korean prisoners of war (POWs), indicating a willingness to accept them for treatment. This proposal was communicated by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul during a recent telephone conversation.
Minister Cho confirmed that South Korea is prepared to receive all North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine, should they express a desire to relocate to South Korea. At the same time, Ukrainian authorities, alongside the U.S. and South Korea, reported that thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces in Ukraine, marking their notable involvement since the 1950s.
Cho emphasized South Korea’s commitment to assist the Ukrainian people and reiterated readiness to help North Korean POWs wishing to move to South Korea. As of January 2025, Kyiv reported over 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the conflict.
Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff observed that North Korea might consider sending additional troops to Russia, despite sustaining significant losses and the ongoing capturing of soldiers. In 2022, North Korea sent troops to engage in active combat within Russia’s campaign against Ukraine, specifically in the Kursk region.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, noted that North Korean troops are acquiring combat experience and technology enhancements through their collaboration with Russian forces. He revealed that Russia has augmented North Korea’s KN-23 missile capabilities, improving their accuracy in strikes. As of early February, North Korean casualties in the Kursk conflict reached around 4,000 soldiers.
The discussions between South Korea and Ukraine regarding North Korean prisoners of war illustrate a growing international dialogue about the implications of military engagement in Ukraine. With South Korea expressing a willingness to assist POWs and reports of North Korean military participation in the conflict, the dynamics of this situation continue to evolve, raising questions about future military support and potential humanitarian efforts.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
