South Korea's Foreign Ministry: Rapidly Advance the Transfer of North Korean Soldiers Captured by Ukraine to South Korea

¬ At the South Korea-Ukraine Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the 30th, "Basic Consensus Already Reached"

Regarding two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces after being dispatched to Russia, a senior South Korean foreign ministry official stated on the 22nd: "We are doing our utmost to facilitate the transfer of our nationals to South Korea according to their own free will." On the same day, the foreign ministry announced that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha is set to visit South Korea, with plans for talks scheduled for the 30th between Sybiha and South Korea’s Foreign Minister Chae Hyun.

In January 2025, two North Korean soldiers captured on the western Kursk front line in Russia repeatedly expressed their desire to defect to South Korea. The South Korean government has established its policy based on individual wishes and continues ongoing consultations with Ukraine.

On the same day, a senior foreign ministry official said at a press briefing: "We have reached a basic consensus with Ukraine," and "the principle remains unchanged." He added: "With the upcoming visit of Ukraine’s foreign minister, we hope for tangible progress." When asked whether any outcomes concerning the transfer of the North Korean soldiers could be announced during the South Korea-Ukraine foreign ministers’ meeting, the official responded: "I cannot comment," but emphasized: "We will strive in that direction."

Discussions on the transfer of North Korean soldiers to South Korea nearing conclusion … Final decision expected at the 30th meeting

On the 22nd, a senior foreign ministry official stated that a "basic consensus" had been reached with the Ukrainian government regarding the transfer of two North Korean soldiers to South Korea, making their trip likely in the near future. According to diplomatic sources: "The relevant procedures and legal processes for the soldiers’ transfer to South Korea are likely already approaching completion." This suggests that the South Korea-Ukraine foreign ministers’ meeting on the 30th may serve as the final venue for confirming their defection to South Korea. After being captured by Ukrainian special operations forces for 17 months, the two North Korean soldiers may soon head to South Korea.

In March, Foreign Minister Chae Hyun addressed the issue of the two North Korean soldiers’ disposition during a plenary session of the National Assembly’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and Unification, stating: "I personally met with the (Ukrainian) minister and secured a commitment not to repatriate them to North Korea or Russia." At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Canada in November 2025, he again secured such a commitment from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. However, there are speculations that Ukraine may have secretly demanded more concrete and substantial support from South Korea in exchange for allowing the soldiers’ transfer—such as providing defensive weapons or participating in post-war reconstruction efforts.

Analysts note that the government’s emphasis on the soldiers’ "voluntary departure to South Korea" and the "commitment not to repatriate" serves dual purposes: ensuring the safety of the two individuals and securing international legal grounds. The Geneva Convention III on the Treatment of Prisoners of War stipulates that prisoners of war "should generally be repatriated to their home country." North Korea has consistently insisted through Russia during prisoner exchange negotiations with Ukraine that the two soldiers be returned.

Yet, during interviews conducted by this newspaper in February 2025 and other occasions, the two North Korean soldiers repeatedly affirmed their wish to defect to South Korea. The principle of "non-refoulement" under international law prohibits forcibly returning individuals to places where their lives or personal freedom might be at risk. Both South Korea and Ukraine agree that this principle must be respected.

On the 22nd, Minister Chae held a press briefing stating that following the U.S.-Iran final peace agreement, the government has been preparing in advance to assist South Korean enterprises in participating in reconstruction projects in the Middle East. To this end, the foreign ministry established the "Korea-Middle East Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Task Force" to help South Korean companies engage in post-disaster recovery and economic cooperation in the region. However, the foreign ministry clarified that the establishment of this task force was not intended to participate in the reconstruction fund mentioned in the peace agreement. According to a senior foreign ministry official: "Our priority is to strengthen cooperation with the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries," adding that "there has been no formal invitation yet regarding participation in the reconstruction fund."

Regarding other nuclear energy cooperation matters between South Korea and the United States—including South Korea’s construction and acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment rights, and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel—the senior foreign ministry official said: "We expect to reach a compromise before year-end." He explained: "If South Korea seeks enrichment and reprocessing rights, we can revise the nuclear cooperation agreement or add supplementary appendices using existing provisions—multiple options exist—but the clear goal is to conclude an agreement swiftly."

The official also noted: "On the Coupang issue, the South Korean and American governments have formed a certain consensus," and "will manage it carefully to prevent corporate violations from being exaggerated or repeated." In March, when South Korea’s Minister of Unification Jung Dong-young disclosed that North Korea’s uranium enrichment facilities were located in "Gwacheon, North Pyongan Province," the United States restricted intelligence sharing with North Korea. In response, a senior foreign ministry official said: "Both the U.S. and we will work together to find a breakthrough on this matter."

Regarding the ongoing discussions about China’s foreign minister visiting South Korea, the official said: "As far as I know, the visit is imminent," adding that the two sides would discuss further measures to promote and enhance bilateral relations between South Korea and China.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868760155239424/

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