On March 17, 2025, Ukraine and South Korea discussed transferring two North Korean POWs captured during the conflict. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul emphasized constitutional considerations, requiring the POWs’ consent for relocation. Reports indicate significant North Korean casualties in the conflict, attributed to lack of combat experience.
On March 17, 2025, Ukraine engaged in discussions with South Korea regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured during the ongoing conflict. The dialogue took place between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Minister Cho emphasized that, according to South Korea’s Constitution, North Koreans are regarded as citizens. However, he noted the necessity for these individuals to express a personal willingness to relocate to South Korea.
Last autumn, approximately 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia’s Kursk Oblast to assist in countering Ukraine’s military operations that commenced in August 2024. Ukrainian forces captured the two North Korean soldiers as prisoners of war on January 11. Reports suggest that North Korean forces supporting Russia have sustained severe casualties, with President Volodymyr Zelensky indicating that there were about 4,000 fatalities among these troops, primarily due to inexperienced combat tactics.
Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukrainian military intelligence, highlighted that the significant loss of life among North Korean soldiers results from their lack of combat experience and reliance on human wave tactics ultimately hampered by inadequate equipment.
In other reports, newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has extended an invitation to President Zelensky to participate in the G7 summit scheduled for June. Furthermore, on the same day, Ukraine’s Supreme Court ruled that illegal mobilization does not constitute grounds for military dismissal. Additionally, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas mentioned that the EU plan to provide approximately $43.6 billion in military aid has garnered considerable political support among member states.
The negotiations between Ukraine and South Korea concerning the transfer of North Korean POWs signal ongoing international dialogues amid the geopolitical tensions of the region. The situation underscores the complexities surrounding military engagements, as well as the broader implications for diplomatic relations involving North Korean forces. The discussions also occur alongside other significant international developments, illustrating the extensive, intertwined nature of current global affairs.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
