South Korean and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers, Cho Tae-yul and Andrii Sybiha, had a phone call to discuss the repatriation of DPRK soldiers captured by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
This was reported by Yonhap with reference to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, Ukrinform saw.
“Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul discussed the handling of the two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha,” the report said.
Cho noted that the captured soldiers are considered South Korean citizens under the country’s Constitution, and will accept their defection if they express such intent, it said.
The minister also stated that the South Korean government will cooperate with the international community to restore peace and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
In his turn, Sybiha shared with his South Korean counterpart updates on high-level talks between Ukraine and the United States on efforts to end the war, and expressed hope for further cooperation with the international community in promoting peace, the report notes.
The Ukrainian side has not yet reported on the talks between the two top diplomats.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, Ukrainian soldiers captured two North Korean soldiers in Kursk region.
One of the POWs said commanders forbid North Korean soldiers deployed in Kursk region to surrender. He also stated he had no intention of going back home and instead was willing to go to South Korea and study at a university.
South Korea has said it is willing to accept North Korean soldiers captured by the Ukrainian Army if they express willingness to this end.
Source: Ukraine, South Korea top diplomats talk repatriation of DPRK POWs - media
