From: New Voice of Ukraine 🇺🇦
The South Korean government plans to engage in consultations with Ukraine regarding the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Jan. 14.
Lee Jae-woong, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made this statement in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remarks about two North Korean soldiers captured in Kursk Oblast.
“As North Korean soldiers are our nationals according to the Constitution, (the government) plans to hold discussions with Ukraine if they request defection to South Korea,” Lee stated.
According to South Korea’s constitution, the entire Korean Peninsula is considered its territory, and North Koreans are recognized as its citizens. The Foreign Ministry reported that none of the captured North Korean soldiers have expressed a desire to go to South Korea.
According to data from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, the North Korean army contingent fighting against Ukrainian defense forces in Kursk Oblast has suffered 300 fatalities. The total losses for the North Korean army, based on preliminary estimates from South Korean intelligence, amount to approximately 3,000 personnel—300 killed and 2,700 wounded.
Voice of Ukraine 