Ukraine and South Korea are negotiating the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine. South Korea is ready to accept two POWs if they wish to go there. Interviews with the captured soldiers indicate they serve in the Reconnaissance General Bureau, not in special forces as previously thought. As of now, none have requested transfer to South Korea.
Ukraine and South Korea have engaged in discussions regarding the repatriation of North Korean soldiers who have been captured by Ukrainian forces. This dialogue was reported by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, emphasizing the collaborative efforts to address the situation. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul communicated with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, affirming that South Korea is prepared to accept two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) should they express interest in relocation to South Korea.
The initial reports of talks between the two nations on this subject emerged in January 2025. Under South Korea’s constitution, the entirety of the Korean Peninsula is recognized as South Korean territory, which implies that all North Korean residents are regarded as South Korean citizens. As of now, none of the captured soldiers have made requests for transfer to South Korea, indicating a unique challenge in these discussions.
On February 19, the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo published interviews featuring the captured North Korean soldiers. Identified as Ri, a 26-year-old sniper-reconnaissance officer, and Baek, a 21-year-old rifleman, both soldiers revealed their affiliation with the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), the military intelligence agency of North Korea, rather than the previously speculated 11th ‘Storm’ Corps.
While the exact unit affiliations of the captured soldiers remain unclear, it is known that the RGB includes several units, such as 180, 91, and 525. Additionally, due to recent military reforms, some RGB intelligence units may have been transferred to or placed under the command of special operations forces during ongoing military engagements in the Kursk oblast.
In summary, the dialogue between Ukraine and South Korea regarding the potential repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers highlights significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations. With South Korea expressing readiness to accept the POWs and the recorded interviews revealing the soldiers’ identities and affiliations, this situation remains dynamic. It is imperative to monitor how these discussions evolve and whether any captured soldiers will ultimately request transfer to South Korea.
Original Source: mil.in.ua
