South Korea offers refuge to North Korean POWs from Ukraine
South Korea has announced its willingness to accept North Korean prisoners of war from Ukraine. During a phone conversation, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yol assured Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha that protection would be provided for those who choose to relocate to Seoul.
What do you need to know?
- South Korea has declared its willingness to accept North Korean prisoners of war. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yol assured Ukrainian Minister Andriy Sybiha of protection for the prisoners who choose to come to Seoul.
- Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region captured North Koreans. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared information about their capture on January 11th.
- Kim Jong Un sent over 10,000 soldiers to Russia. In exchange for Russian technical assistance with Pyongyang's arms and satellite programs, North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russian forces.
In a discussion with Andriy Sybiha, Minister Cho Tae-yol emphasized that South Korea is ready to offer crucial protection and support to North Korean prisoners of war who opt to relocate to Seoul. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul confirmed that these individuals would receive protection if they chose to come to South Korea.
South Korean authorities have confirmed their ongoing support for the Ukrainian people and their collaboration with the international community to "restore peace" in Ukraine and aid in its rebuilding efforts.
Korean soldiers involved in the war
Officials in Seoul report that Kim Jong Un has sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia, allegedly as expendable troops, in return for technical support for North Korea’s weapons and satellite programs. South Korean intelligence services confirmed that over a thousand military personnel were transferred to Russia between late January and early February.
Information provided by South Korean lawmaker Ju Yong Won indicates that so far, 400 North Korean soldiers have died at the front, and around 3,600 have been wounded.
- About 3,500 North Korean soldiers are undergoing field adaptation training in five different locations in Russia's Far East, added Ju Yong Won, citing Ukrainian intelligence.
