South Korea and Ukraine’s top diplomats conferred on the repatriation of North Korean POWs, acknowledging the captured soldiers as South Korean citizens and expressing commitment to collaboration for peace in Ukraine.
On Monday, top diplomats from South Korea and Ukraine engaged in phone discussions concerning the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, focusing on the circumstances surrounding two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces.
Minister Cho emphasized that the captured soldiers would be deemed South Korean citizens under national law and assured that their defection would be accepted if they expressed such a desire. These soldiers were taken into custody by Ukrainian forces in January amid conflict situated in the Kursk region of Russia.
Reports indicate that North Korea dispatched approximately 11,000 troops to Russia last October, with further deployments occurring between January and February of the current year as they supported Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine.
During the dialogue, Minister Cho reiterated South Korea’s commitment to collaborating with the international community to facilitate peace and assist in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. Additionally, Sybiha mentioned the ongoing high-level discussions between Ukraine and the United States aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia and expressed optimism about ongoing joint efforts to promote peace globally.
In conclusion, the discussions between South Korea and Ukraine highlight the complexities surrounding the repatriation of North Korean POWs. The South Korean government’s stance on recognizing these individuals as citizens and their willingness to accept defections underscores their commitment to human rights. Both nations expressed a unified intention to work collaboratively towards peace and reconstruction in Ukraine amidst a challenging geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.koreatimes.co.kr
