South Korea and Ukraine have agreed to collaborate on resolving the matter of North Korean Prisoners of War (PoWs detained in Ukraine. The agreement was reached during a meeting between South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha in Seoul. Two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in early 2025 while deployed to Russia’s Kursk region in support of Moscow.
The captured soldiers have expressed their desire to relocate to South Korea, as reported by Yonhap news agency. Both countries aim to address the issue of North Korean PoWs in Ukraine in compliance with international law and humanitarian principles, respecting the individuals’ free will. Additionally, discussions were held on the war in Ukraine and other regional developments, including those related to the Korean Peninsula.
The foreign ministries of both countries engaged in constructive talks regarding the war prisoners’ issue. Seoul emphasized its commitment to diplomatic efforts for progress in resolving the matter. South Korea considers North Korean soldiers as its nationals and is willing to accept any PoWs wishing to come to South Korea. Meanwhile, Ukraine has stated that it will not force repatriation of North Korean PoWs against their will, pending a final decision considering broader implications for POW treatment.
During the visit, Sybiha and Cho extensively discussed the North Korean PoWs issue and outlined plans in line with international humanitarian law. Sybiha highlighted the global repercussions of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, pointing out Moscow’s increased military cooperation with North Korea. The visit also included a trip to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) where the need for closer cooperation between South Korea and Ukraine to counter threats from North Korea and Russia was emphasized.
Sybiha underscored the totalitarian regime’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, linking it to the Korean Peninsula’s security concerns. He expressed readiness for a mutually beneficial security partnership with South Korea. The visit marked the first by a Ukrainian foreign minister to South Korea since 2015, with discussions also focusing on bilateral cooperation in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and economic ties.
