South Korea has extended a proposal to Ukraine offering cooperation in the treatment of North Korean prisoners of war, signaling its readiness to welcome them on South Korean soil.
During a phone conversation on Monday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul expressed the country’s willingness to accept any North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine who wish to relocate to South Korea.
This diplomatic move comes amid growing concerns over North Korea’s increasing involvement in the war, with thousands of its troops sent to support Russian forces in Ukraine. This marks Pyongyang’s first significant military engagement in the conflict since the 1950s.
According to reports from Ukraine, the United States, and South Korea, over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in combat as of January 2025.
Minister Cho reiterated South Korea’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing that Seoul is prepared to assist North Korean prisoners of war who express a desire to move to the country.
Despite the heavy losses, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff have noted that North Korea may still send additional forces to fight alongside Russia, continuing their involvement in the war, particularly in the Kursk region.
Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s head of Defense Intelligence, stated that North Korean forces are not only gaining valuable combat experience in the Kursk region but are also enhancing their weaponry through collaboration with Russia.
Reports suggest that Russia has worked to upgrade North Korea’s KN-23 missiles, increasing their strike accuracy.
As of early February, approximately 4,000 North Korean soldiers had been reported dead in the ongoing fighting. South Korea’s offer to host the prisoners reflects a significant diplomatic shift, highlighting the complex web of alliances and tensions emerging from the war in Ukraine.
