South Korea’s spy agency has confirmed its participation in the questioning of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting alongside Russian troops in Russia’s Kursk border region. However, neither soldier expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is willing to hand over the soldiers to North Korea if Kim Jong Un arranges for an exchange with Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia. The two soldiers have differing wishes – one wants to stay in Ukraine, while the other desires to return home.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service stated that facilitating asylum would require “legal reviews and consultations with related nations.” There is currently no concrete plan to assist the North Korean soldiers.
The agency also reported that around 300 North Korean soldiers have died and 2,700 been injured in combat against Ukrainian forces. They face significant challenges adapting to modern warfare, including drones and other elements of technology.
Experts say the capture poses a threat to South Korea as North Korean forces gain combat experience and Russia provides technology transfers to enhance their nuclear-armed army. The struggle for the Kursk region has resulted in thousands killed and wounded on both sides.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/north-korean-soldiers-captured-in-ukraine-havent-shown-desire-to-defect-seouls-spy-agency-says