South Korea and Ukraine discuss repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war... agree to respect free will

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Ukraine met in Seoul on the 30th and discussed the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured and held in Ukraine. Both sides agreed to respect the free will of the individuals concerned and to seek a solution in line with international law and humanitarian principles. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation on the Korean Peninsula during their talks. Minister Sybiha said they had reached a common understanding on a solution in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and international law, and the Ukrainian government is also continuing its review of the matter. Two North Korean soldiers were reportedly captured by Ukrainian forces in combat in the Kursk region of Russia in January 2025, and later expressed their intention to go to South Korea. The meeting also raised the possibility of South Korean companies taking part in defense cooperation and Ukraine's reconstruction projects.