Two North Korean Soldiers Captured on Russian Battlefield Confirmed
“Requires Legal Review and Coordination with Relevant Countries”
On the 13th, Koo Byung-sam, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, stated during a regular briefing at the government complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that the possibility of repatriating the North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces requires “legal review and coordination with relevant countries,” according to reporter Im Young-moo.
On the same day, the Ministry of Unification expressed that the repatriation of the North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces needs to be discussed along with a review of international law and agreements with related countries.
Spokesperson Koo Byung-sam noted at the briefing that “there are separate international laws concerning prisoners of war.”
Previously, on the 12th, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed the capture of two North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian forces on January 9th on the Russian battlefield of Kursk.
According to the NIS, the two North Korean soldiers were captured in a wounded state on the Kursk front. They were born in 1999 and 2005, respectively, and have served in the military since 2016 and 2021. One of the captured soldiers testified during the investigation that he only learned he was deployed, not for training, upon arriving in Russia.
The NIS stated that the soldiers are “not in life-threatening condition” and added that they plan to continuously share relevant information through close collaboration with the Ukrainian intelligence agency (SBU).
As the conflict continues, instances of North Korean soldiers being captured are expected to rise. This has led to increased interest in the procedures that will be followed if the captured North Korean soldiers wish to come to South Korea.
South Korea’s constitution defines its territory as the Korean Peninsula and its adjunct islands, regarding North Korean residents as potential South Korean citizens. In this context, the NIS indicated at last year’s National Assembly intelligence committee audit that, legally, South Korea should accept North Korean prisoners of war.
However, if Russia declares the two captured soldiers as Russian soldiers, there is a high possibility they may be repatriated to Russia based on agreements. According to Article 118 of the Geneva Conventions, all prisoners must be released and repatriated immediately after active hostilities have ceased.
When asked whether North Korean POWs who do not wish to return would be brought to South Korea, Spokesperson Koo added that “legal review and coordination with relevant countries would be necessary.”
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