South Korea’s Asylum Offer for Captured North Korean POWs

On June 23, the South Korean foreign ministry announced it will accept any North Korean prisoner of war captured by Ukraine who wishes to relocate to South Korea, and it rejects any forced return to Russia or North Korea.

Kyiv IndependentUnited24 Media

North Korea sent an estimated 14,000-15,000 soldiers to Russia’s Kursk Oblast in late 2024 to support Moscow’s war effort. The troops have operated reconnaissance drones over Ukraine’s Sumy region and have been ordered to avoid capture, even to kill themselves rather than be taken prisoner.

Kyiv Independent

South Korean intelligence estimates roughly 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded by early 2026. Ukraine currently holds two captured North Korean soldiers, seized in early 2025. In addition to personnel, Pyongyang has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, long-range artillery and millions of ammunition rounds.

United24 MediaKyiv Independent

The ministry communicated its position to Ukrainian authorities. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk reaffirmed that the principle of non-refoulement applies to the detainees. Neither Russia nor North Korea has issued a public response. South Korean and Ukrainian foreign ministers will meet in Seoul on June 30.

Kyiv Independent

• "South Korea will accept all North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) captured by Ukraine while fighting for Russia if they wish to do so." — South Korean Foreign Ministry, June 23

Kyiv IndependentUnited24 Media

• "The ministry opposes any forced transfer of North Korean POWs to Russia or North Korea." — South Korean Foreign Ministry

Kyiv Independent

• "The principle of non-refoulement applies to the North Korean prisoners held by Ukraine." — Volker Turk, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, May 13

Kyiv Independent

• "North Korean troops sent to support Russian forces were ordered to avoid capture under any circumstances, including by killing themselves if necessary rather than be taken prisoner." — Daily NK (report)

Kyiv Independent

The proposal engages the principle of non-refoulement and could set a precedent for the treatment of foreign fighters captured in Ukraine. It also raises human-rights concerns about North Korean soldiers compelled to fight abroad and may affect diplomatic calculations among Seoul, Ukraine and Russia.

United24 Media

Russia and North Korea have not issued statements on Seoul’s offer, leaving their positions unknown. The total number of North Korean detainees beyond the two confirmed captives is not disclosed, and the legal process for relocation to South Korea has not been detailed.

Kyiv Independent

South Korean and Ukrainian foreign ministers will meet in Seoul on June 30 to discuss the asylum proposal and related humanitarian issues.

United24 Media