South Korea Accepts North Korean POW Asylum Requests from Ukraine

South Korea has reaffirmed its commitment to accept North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine who wish to defect, following reports of a soldier expressing intent to seek asylum. A South Korean foreign ministry official stated that all North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) will be recognized as South Korean citizens under the Constitution and that their free will regarding repatriation will be respected in accordance with international law. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions with Ukraine, where a soldier identified only as Ri, along with another captured soldier, expressed their desire to seek refuge in South Korea, citing miscommunication about their deployment. The situation highlights the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russia and reportedly suffer heavy casualties. Analysts suggest that negotiations may be challenging given the ongoing peace talks involving the U.S. and Russia. Despite previous hesitations, South Korea's position reflects a broader commitment to humanitarian principles regarding defectors from oppressive regimes.