Ukraine Foreign Minister Visits Seoul, North Korean POWs' Move to South Korea Discussed

Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit South Korea on the 30th for a meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

The meeting will discuss measures to facilitate the journey to South Korea for two North Korean soldiers who were detained in Ukraine after being deployed to Russia. A high-ranking official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that a basic agreement has been reached with the Ukrainian side regarding the two North Korean POWs. The official added that efforts are being made to expedite their move to South Korea as much as possible, allowing them to pursue it of their own free will.

However, a cautious stance was taken regarding whether their move to South Korea would be officially announced at the South Korea-Ukraine foreign ministers' meeting. Another official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested that the repatriation of North Korean POWs is a trilateral matter that requires discreet handling and may only be disclosed after the procedures are completed.

This discussion on the repatriation of North Korean POWs demonstrates South Korea's move to lead in resolving humanitarian issues within the international political landscape. If their move to South Korea, in accordance with their wishes, is realized, it could also impact the regional dynamics around the Korean Peninsula and relations between the involved countries.