South Korea to Discuss Potential Defection of Captured North Korean Soldiers with Ukraine
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The South Korean government is considering discussions with Ukraine regarding the potential defection of North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine, as confirmed by the Foreign Ministry. This follows recent reports of their capture while fighting for Russia.
Key Takeaways
- Seoul is engaging with Ukraine over North Korean soldiers.
- Captured soldiers may seek defection to South Korea.
- The South Korean Constitution recognizes all on the peninsula as nationals.
- Two North Korean soldiers were captured while fighting for Russia.
- Ukraine is open to prisoner exchanges.
Seoul, Jan 14 (NationPress) The South Korean government intends to consult with Ukraine regarding the potential transfer of North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine to the South, should they express a desire to defect, according to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
During a routine press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent announcement about two North Korean soldiers who were apprehended in the Kursk region of Russia while fighting alongside Russian forces.
In a video shared by Zelensky, one of the captured North Korean soldiers inquired if all Ukrainians were good people. After receiving a positive response from an interpreter, he stated, “I want to live here.”
The spokesperson emphasized, “As North Korean soldiers are our nationals according to the Constitution, (the government) is prepared to engage in discussions with Ukraine should they wish to defect to South Korea.”
South Korea's Constitution recognizes the entire Korean Peninsula as its territory, effectively identifying all individuals residing there as its nationals.
However, the ministry spokesperson clarified that neither of the two captured soldiers has indicated any intention to seek defection to the South, noting that relevant South Korean authorities are currently in contact with Ukraine concerning these individuals.
On Sunday, South Korea's intelligence agency affirmed Ukraine's capture of the two North Korean soldiers last week and committed to collaborating closely with its Ukrainian counterpart to continue sharing pertinent information, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
It is estimated that North Korea has deployed approximately 11,000 troops to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Reports indicate that around 300 have been killed and about 2,700 wounded, according to the National Intelligence Service.
On January 13, Zelensky stated that Ukraine was willing to exchange captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian captives held in Russia. This announcement followed the revelation of the country’s capture of two wounded North Korean soldiers.
Zelensky made the offer via his account on the social media platform X on Sunday (local time) in English, Ukrainian, and Korean, after announcing the previous day that two wounded North Korean soldiers had been captured in Russia's western Kursk region.
