South Korea Says North Korean POWs in Ukraine May Resettle in Seoul
South Korea has indicated it is prepared to accept North Korean prisoners of war captured in Ukraine if they choose to relocate to the South, according to officials in Seoul.
A spokesperson for South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the government opposes the forced return of North Korean prisoners to either North Korea or Russia, citing international legal principles and humanitarian considerations. The official added that consultations with Ukrainian authorities on the matter are ongoing.
The issue is expected to feature prominently during an upcoming visit by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to South Korea next week. Sybiha is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to discuss bilateral relations, security cooperation, and the status of North Korean prisoners held in Ukraine.
The development comes amid continued scrutiny of North Korea’s reported support for Russia in the war in Ukraine. According to South Korean intelligence assessments, Pyongyang has provided both military personnel and technical assistance to Russian forces.
South Korean officials have previously claimed that North Korea deployed thousands of troops to aid Russia’s military operations and later sent engineering units to assist with mine-clearing activities in Russia’s Kursk region.
Seoul’s latest position underscores its longstanding policy of recognizing North Koreans as eligible for protection and resettlement in South Korea should they choose to seek refuge there.
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