Ukraine offers to transfer captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul
The Ambassador of Ukraine to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, declared Kyiv's readiness to transfer North Korean soldiers captured in the Kursk region to Seoul.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, in an interview with "The Korea Times," stated that Ukraine is ready to transfer North Korean soldiers who were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region in Russia to South Korea.
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 — stated Ponomarenko.
The Ambassador emphasized that although formal negotiations with Seoul have not yet begun, Ukraine is ready to facilitate the transfer of prisoners to South Korea. However, he noted that if the soldiers express the desire to return to their homeland, Ukraine will be obliged to repatriate them in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
Losses of North Korean soldiers
Ponomarenko confirmed that the North Korean military has suffered severe losses, reporting that about 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded so far.
Regardless of the number and quality of North Korean troops, they are an additional problem for our defenders, adding to their work and distracting them from destroying the Russian aggressors - summarized Ponomarenko.
The Ambassador did not rule out the possibility that Pyongyang might send additional troops to support Moscow. Media reports have suggested that since mid-January, North Korean soldiers have not participated in the front-line battles in the Kursk region in Russia. The withdrawal of troops may be related to significant personnel losses, as reported by South Korean intelligence. Nevertheless, sources do not rule out the possibility of soldiers returning after additional training or the development of new deployment strategies.
Ukrainian forces have been operating in the Kursk region in western Russia since August 2024. The aim of these operations is, among other things, to draw Russian forces away from attacking in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Seoul authorities report that Kim Jong Un sent over 10,000 soldiers to Russia in exchange for technical assistance in weapons and satellite programs, which are subject to strict sanctions.
