North Korea will refuse to acknowledge captured soldiers - human rights advocate

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"Two North Korean prisoners of war were captured in the Kursk region during attacks on the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They now have protected prisoner-of-war status, and Ukraine has the right to detain them until the end of hostilities or the signing of a peace agreement. It is clear that they are North Korean citizens, but there are no documents confirming their citizenship. These soldiers were under fake documents of Russian servicemen," explained Pavlichenko.

According to the executive director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, the personal details and identities of the North Korean soldiers have been established, and this information is now available to both Ukraine and North Korea. However, North Korea will not participate in negotiations or recognize these individuals as its servicemen.

"Regarding the possibility of an exchange, as suggested, this is more of an advocacy informational step than a real proposal. This is because North Korea has no involvement in the organization of exchanges or transfers by Russia of Ukrainian servicemen who have been captured or civilians who are held in detention facilities in Russia. The lack of negotiation platforms and established practices complicates this process," Pavlichenko noted.

The executive director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union is considering the possibility of transferring the North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine to a third country, subject to approval. This process could occur if the soldiers agree to be moved. Hypothetically, this could even involve South Korea, where they could be released and granted the possibility of residence.

• Ukrainian forces captured two wounded DPRK soldiers in the Kursk region and brought them to Kyiv, where the SBU is interrogating them.
• On January 12, President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to hand over captured soldiers to North Korea if Kim Jong Un can arrange an exchange for Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia. The Kremlin refused to comment on Zelenskyy's statement.