Seoul Says Ready to Accept All North Korean POWs Captured by Ukraine While Fighting for Russia.

South Korea’s Stance on North Korean Prisoners of War

According to Novyny.live: South Korea has declared its willingness to take in every North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine’s defense forces while fighting alongside Russian troops. The only condition is that each captive must personally and voluntarily choose to relocate to South Korea. This announcement marks a significant development in a conflict that has drawn in North Korean military personnel.

On June 30, the foreign ministers of Ukraine and South Korea are scheduled to meet in Seoul for talks. Reports of North Korean troops being deployed to Russia first surfaced back in October 2024. By April 2025, Pyongyang had officially confirmed it had sent an expeditionary force—between 14,000 and 15,000 soldiers—to support Moscow’s war effort.

Battlefield Developments

The bulk of North Korean forces were positioned in Russia’s Kursk region. Combat operations there have resulted in roughly 6,000 North Korean casualties, including both killed and wounded. The most recent prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place on June 5, when 185 Ukrainian defenders were returned home. These events highlight the complexity of the situation and underscore the role South Korea is now playing in this conflict.

Seoul’s offer to accept North Korean POWs suggests a desire to shape regional dynamics and address the humanitarian fallout of the war. The insistence on voluntary relocation reflects a commitment to personal freedom and human rights. The upcoming talks between Ukraine and South Korea could prove pivotal in strengthening bilateral cooperation on security and humanitarian assistance.