North Korean POWs' transfer to South Korea emerges as a variable in Seoul-Moscow relations
Two North Korean soldiers captured as prisoners of war in Ukraine were confirmed on the 24th to have arrived in South Korea, drawing attention to the testimony they may provide about the reality of North Korea's troop deployment as a factor that could affect inter-Korean relations and ties between Seoul and Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address to the UN General Assembly on the 23rd (local time) that he had "recently sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea." Following this, Yoo Yong-won, a lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party on the National Assembly's Defense Committee, said at a press conference on the 24th that the two men had "arrived safely in South Korea a few days ago."
Rep. Yoo explained that although he had been aware of their entry into the country, he had refrained from making it public out of consideration for the POWs' safety and diplomatic relations. The government's position is that it has handled the matter in accordance with the individuals' free will, international law, and humanitarian principles. A senior Foreign Ministry official said the necessary consultations had been carried out with Ukraine and other relevant countries and organizations, but that specific details—such as whether, when, and how the men would be processed as defectors—could not be confirmed for the sake of their safety and that of their families.
Experts assessed the potential impact of the POWs' transfer to South Korea on inter-Korean relations. Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, said the South Korean government "is likely to keep a low-key approach," in which case it "will not have a major impact on inter-Korean relations." North Korea has a precedent of protesting and demanding repatriation when it claimed in 2016 that the South Korean government had lured and abducted a group of North Korean restaurant workers in China. However, this case is different in nature, as the POWs were captured by Ukrainian forces, expressed their wish to go to South Korea, and Ukraine decided to send them.
What North Korea may find most sensitive is the POWs' testimony. North Korea has highlighted the legitimacy of its involvement in the war by publicizing combat footage of its deployed troops and events honoring war veterans. However, if the POWs testify to realities that differ from North Korea's claims—regarding the selection process for deployed soldiers, whether they volunteered, or the actual combat conditions and their treatment within the Russian military—it could put pressure on the North Korean authorities. Professor Park said, "What North Korea fears most is that the realities of the deployment and the war will be revealed through these men."
Opposition voices have also called for the testimony to be made public. Rep. Yoo said, "I hope an opportunity will soon be arranged for these two men to speak directly to our citizens about the reality of North Korean troops' involvement in Ukraine, within the bounds of their guaranteed safety." The government, meanwhile, has refrained from official comment and is reportedly monitoring North Korea's reaction.
Professor Park assessed that, unlike issues such as arms support for Ukraine, the POWs' transfer to South Korea itself is not likely to become a major problem in South Korea-Russia relations, and that Russia is also unlikely to highlight the issue significantly.
