Seoul: Ukraine does not treat the issue of North Korean soldiers held by its military as a tool for negotiation or exchange, but rather as a matter to be handled based on international law and humanitarian principles, according to its top envoy to Seoul. Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko clarified Ukraine’s stance amidst ongoing discussions between South Korea and Ukraine regarding the soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces earlier this year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ambassador Ponomarenko emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to handling the situation with strict adherence to international norms. In a recent written interview, he stated, “Ukraine does not view this matter as a bargaining issue, but rather as one that must be handled in strict accordance with international law and humanitarian principles.”
In January, Ukrainian authorities announced the capture of two North Korean soldiers during combat in Russia’s western Kursk border region. One of these soldiers has expressed a desi
re to defect to South Korea in media interviews. This development has led to speculation that Ukraine might leverage the soldiers to encourage Seoul to provide Kyiv with weapons in its fight against Moscow, in exchange for allowing their defection to the South.
There have also been suggestions that the soldiers could be used as leverage in ongoing negotiations between the United States and Russia to end the war in Ukraine. However, Ambassador Ponomarenko indicated that it is “premature” to establish a timeline for any conclusions regarding the soldiers’ fate.
South Korea has affirmed its readiness to offer protection and assistance if the soldiers choose to defect, recognizing them as citizens by its Constitution. Ambassador Ponomarenko acknowledged South Korea’s official communications on the matter and assured respect for their concerns.
South Korea’s position was reiterated by Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul during a phone conversation with Ukraine’s top diplomat, Andrii Sybiha. Furthermore, Ponomarenko su
ggested that North Korea has likely sought advanced military technology or strategic support from Moscow in return for its military assistance to Russia.
He urged South Korean leaders to consider the long-term security implications of North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and encouraged closer military-technical cooperation between Seoul and Kyiv. South Korea has thus far provided non-lethal and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the onset of the war.
Ponomarenko called for the international community to take decisive action to increase pressure on both Russia and North Korea to end their cooperation, which he described as posing a “severe security risk” globally. He highlighted the concerning development of North Korea strengthening its military capabilities and refining its missile technology through battlefield experience.
Reflecting on Ukraine’s past, Ponomarenko lamented the decision to relinquish nuclear weapons in 1994, which did not prevent Russian aggression, such as the 2014 Crimea occupation.
Despite this, Ukraine remains committed to nuclear disarmament as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and continues to seek support from international partners for conventional weaponry to bolster its defense against Russian aggression.