Ukraine open to discuss transfer of captured North Korean soldiers with South Korea

Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, confirmed this in an interview with The Korean Times.

Currently, Ukraine has not initiated official negotiations with South Korea regarding the transfer of North Korean military personnel.

"Given the threat to the life and freedom of North Korean servicemen in the event of their repatriation to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and if they refuse to go back, we are open for a dialogue with international partners, in particular the Republic of Korea, regarding the possibilities of their transfer to third countries," Ponomarenko stated.

The ambassador also expressed hope for consultations between Ukraine and South Korea regarding the conditions of such a transfer.

• On January 11, it was reported that Ukraine's Defense Forces had captured two North Korean soldiers wounded in combat in Russia’s Kursk region. The prisoners were transferred to Kyiv and are currently being interviewed by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).
• On January 14, it was reported that the South Korean government plans to consult with Ukraine on the potential transfer of the captured North Korean soldiers if they request it.