Seoul presents asylum to North Korean POWs in Ukraine

South Korea is poised to grant asylum to North Korean prisoners of struggle despatched to combat on the Russian frontlines towards Ukraine in the event that they search refuge.

Seoul’s announcement got here after a North Korean POW reportedly expressed his want to settle in South Korea, elevating questions on whether or not his request could be granted.

North Korea despatched round 12,000 troops to combat alongside Russian forces within the almost three-year-long struggle in Ukraine as a part of a strategic protection pact signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean chief Kim Jong Un.

South Korea has a longstanding Constitutional coverage of recognizing North Koreans as South Korean residents.

“The federal government, based mostly on the fundamental precept of accepting all of them once they request to return to South Korea and in line with related legal guidelines, will present crucial safety and help,” a South Korean overseas ministry official who requested anonymity advised The Korean Herald.

The official additionally additional acknowledged that Ukraine is conscious of Seoul’s choice. “We have now conveyed this place to the Ukrainian facet, and we plan to conduct crucial consultations,” he added.

Whereas Seoul has been an ally, they’ve kept away from sending army support to Kyiv all through the three-year-long struggle began by Russia.

Not too long ago, a South Korean newspaper reported that two POWs from Pyongyang revealed that North Korean troops have allegedly been advised that they’re preventing each Ukrainian and South Korean militaries on the Russian frontlines to additional invigorate morale and aggression.

North Korean troops deployed by North Korean chief Kim Jong Un departed on October 10, 2024, availing completely different routes, together with prepare, aircraft, and a bus to reach within the Kursk area and help Russia’s makes an attempt to recapture the Kursk area, a POW advised Chosun Day by day.

North Korean troopers have been used as “cannon fodder” on the Russian frontlines as they suffered heavy casualties.

A army commander from Ukraine had beforehand revealed that the troopers are well-trained and disciplined however their lack of expertise in addition to their backdated offense make them simple targets.

The language barrier has hindered efficient communication between Russian and North Korean forces as radio intercepts have revealed Pyongyang’s personnel by chance attacked Moscow’s positions.

These troops have additionally been brainwashed into blowing themselves up with grenades and dedicating their lives in Kim’s identify to evade seize by Kyiv’s army.

North Korea is reportedly gearing as much as ship extra troops and weapons amid staggering North Korean casualties, South Korean intelligence has claimed.

South Korea estimates that roughly 300 North Koreans have died within the battle and a couple of,700 have been injured.

In the meantime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that about 4,000 North Korean troops have been killed or injured.