Ukrainian and South Korean diplomats discuss repatriation of DPRK POWs – media

Yonhap reported this with reference to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, Ukrinform reports.

“Foreign Minister Cho Dae-yol discussed with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sibikha the treatment of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine,” the statement said.

Cho noted that the captured soldiers are considered South Korean citizens under the country's constitution and will accept their desertion if they express such an intention, the statement said.

The minister also stated that the South Korean government will cooperate with the international community to restore peace and post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.

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In turn, Sibikha shared with his South Korean counterpart news about high-level talks between Ukraine and the United States regarding efforts to end the war and spoke in favor of further cooperation with the international community in promoting peace, the report notes.

The Ukrainian side has not yet reported on the negotiations between the two diplomats.

As reported by Ukrinform, Ukrainian soldiers captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.

One of the prisoners of war reported that commanders forbid North Korean intelligence officers in the Kursk region to surrender. He also added that he does not intend to return to his homeland and is instead ready to go to South Korea and study at a university.

South Korea has said it is ready to accept North Korean soldiers captured by the Ukrainian army if they so wish.