[INTERVIEW] Ukraine open to talks with South Korea on captured NK soldiers: envoy

Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko speaks throughout an interview with The Korea Occasions in Seoul, Feb. 25, 2022. Korea Occasions photograph by Choi Received-suk

The Ukrainian authorities is open to discussions with South Korea relating to the potential switch of two captured North Korean troopers to the South, in line with Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko.

Whereas Kyiv has but to start formal negotiations with Seoul, Ponomarenko stated Ukraine is keen to cooperate on transferring the troopers in the event that they refuse to return to their dwelling nation.

„Given the risk to the life and freedom of North Korean servicemen within the occasion of their repatriation to the Democratic Individuals’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and in the event that they refuse to return, we’re open for a dialogue with worldwide companions, specifically the Republic of Korea, relating to the chances of their switch to 3rd international locations,“ Ponomarenko stated in a current written interview with The Korea Occasions, referring the 2 Koreas by their official names.

„In that case, I count on we’ll seek the advice of with South Korea on the modalities of their switch.“

In mid-January, Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean troopers who had been combating for Russia within the Kursk area. The troopers, who carried Russian paperwork however didn’t communicate the language, have been taken prisoner and transported to Kyiv for questioning.

Footage of their interrogation revealed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Jan. 12 confirmed the troopers claiming that they have been initially unaware they have been being deployed to an lively fight zone, as a substitute believing that they have been taking part in coaching workout routines.

Through the questioning, one of many troopers testified that he served in a reconnaissance unit since becoming a member of the army at age 17.

A captured North Korean soldier is seen on this photograph posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s X account, Jan. 12. Zelenskyy stated two troopers have been captured in Russia’s Kursk area and are being interrogated in Kyiv. Yonhap

Shortly after the troopers have been captured, South Korea’s Ministry of International Affairs said that it will talk about with Ukrainian authorities the opportunity of bringing them to the South if the troopers expressed a need to take action.

Nonetheless, if the troopers want to return to North Korea, Ukraine could be obligated beneath the Geneva Conventions to repatriate them, the ambassador famous.

Zelenskyy has publically provided to trade the captured North Korean troopers for Ukrainian prisoners of struggle held by Russia. However on condition that neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have formally acknowledged the deployment of North Korean troops, facilitating such an trade could possibly be difficult.

„The problem of prisoner trade could be very delicate … To forestall a destructive affect on the method, it will be applicable to chorus from untimely feedback on this matter on the time being,“ Ponomarenko stated when requested whether or not talks with Pyongyang have materialized.

The ambassador stated North Korean army personnel combating in Russia have suffered heavy losses, with roughly 4,000 killed or wounded to this point.

Amid the mounting demise toll, North Korean troops seem to have ceased fight operations in Russia’s Kursk area since mid-January, in line with the most recent evaluation by South Korea’s intelligence company. Nonetheless, officers haven’t been in a position to verify whether or not this means a full withdrawal.

„Whatever the quantity and high quality of North Korean troops, they’re an extra downside for our defenders, including to their work and distracting them from destroying the Russian aggressors,“ Ponomarenko stated, whereas not ruling out the opportunity of extra troop deployment.

An administrative constructing in downtown Izyum, Kharkiv, Ukraine, is badly broken, Tuesday (native time), amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Not less than 5 folks died and greater than 40 have been injured in a Russian missile strike on town. EPA-Yonhap

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third yr, is seeing new developments as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for negotiations to finish the battle.

But the trail to a U.S-brokered peace deal appears daunting as Moscow is decided to seize as a lot territory as potential.

„Ukraine needs to finish this struggle greater than some other nation,“ Ponomarenko stated.

Nonetheless, the ambassador careworn two preconditions for any peace negotiations: first, Ukraine should be concerned in discussions about its personal future; and second, talks ought to be primarily based on the U.N. Constitution, making certain respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity inside its internationally acknowledged borders.

„It should be actual peace, not appeasement of the aggressor. Ukraine is open to diplomacy, however solely to the one which results in a complete, simply and lasting peace,“ the envoy stated. „Now isn’t the time for our companions to waver or tire. Weak spot, compromise on elementary points or appeasement will hurt not solely Ukraine, however the remainder of Europe and the world.“