South Korea is willing to accept North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukraine, contingent on their voluntary defection. The discussions highlight concerns over North Korean soldiers aiding Russia in the conflict, with significant casualties reported. Notably, a captured soldier expressed a desire to defect to South Korea, raising humanitarian issues about their treatment.
South Korea and Ukraine are currently engaged in discussions regarding North Korean prisoners of war captured during the ongoing conflict. According to South Korea’s state news agency Yonhap, the South Korean Foreign Minister, Cho Tae Yul, communicated with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, expressing willingness to accept these prisoners. However, acceptance is conditional on the prisoners’ voluntary choice to move to South Korea.
Reports indicate that nearly 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed by North Korea to support Russia in its military endeavors. This marks a notable instance of North Korean personnel participating in a foreign conflict. Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, disclosed that approximately 4,000 North Korean soldiers have either been killed or injured during fighting in the Kursk region, a territory contested by Ukrainian forces.
Despite allegations of North Korean troop involvement, both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these claims, even after establishing a mutual defense agreement last November. This agreement mandates mutual aid in the event of external threats. Furthermore, in January, President Zelensky revealed that two injured North Korean soldiers had been captured, with one expressing a desire to remain in Ukraine.
A North Korean soldier reportedly conveyed to South Korea’s Chosun newspaper his willingness to defect, inquiring about the possibility of being granted asylum. The discussions between the two foreign ministers arise from escalating concerns regarding the fates of North Korean captives in Ukraine. North Korean defector Pak Yusung highlighted the severe repercussions faced by soldiers who are captured, including potential punishment of their families, imprisonment, or even execution, as reported by ABC News.
In conclusion, the dialogue between South Korea and Ukraine reflects growing concern over the treatment and potential defection of North Korean soldiers involved in the ongoing conflict. South Korea has indicated a readiness to accept these prisoners, contingent upon their voluntary choice to defect. The situation highlights the complexities of international relations amid the Ukraine crisis, particularly concerning North Korean involvement and the consequent humanitarian implications.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
