Ukraine has acknowledged for the first time the possibility of transferring captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. 

Andriy Chernyak, a representative of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, discussed the potential move in an exclusive interview with Yonhap News Agency in Kyiv on Feb 21. 

When asked about two North Korean soldiers currently held in Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia, Chernyak suggested such a transfer was feasible.

He highlighted the strong ties between Ukraine and South Korea’s defense intelligence and special forces, suggesting that such a scenario is possible.

One of the captured North Korean soldiers recently expressed a desire to defect to South Korea in an interview with Chosun Ilbo. The South Korean government has since stated it is willing to provide protection and support, treating them as South Korean citizens under the country’s constitution.

“North Korean soldiers are our citizens according to the Constitution,” a South Korean ministry official said on Feb 19. 

“Respecting an individual’s free will regarding repatriation of prisoners of war is in line with international law and practice,” the official added. “They should not be repatriated to a place where they are threatened with persecution.”

Chernyak did not disclose the exact location where the prisoners were being held but assured they were in a protected and safe place with all necessary provisions.

On the broader war strategy, Chernyak claimed that Russia is intensifying efforts along the front line to strengthen its position in potential negotiations with the United States.

He noted that even in areas without active hostilities, Russia is increasing intelligence operations, likely to influence future diplomatic talks.

Yet, Chernyak expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression. He emphasized that while Ukraine should not underestimate its enemy, Russia’s military has proven to be less formidable than it portrays itself.

He reaffirmed that Ukraine remains capable of holding the front lines and resisting Russian advances despite the high human cost of the conflict.

Growing Presence of North Korean Troops in Ukraine

The intelligence official revealed that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers are fighting for Russia, posing a growing threat beyond Ukraine to the Asia-Pacific region. 

He estimated that around 4,000 of them have already been killed or seriously wounded, though some could return to combat after recovery.

He warned that the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is prolonging the conflict. Injured North Korean soldiers who return home will bring back battlefield experience, including expertise in drone warfare and small infantry tactics. 

He noted that this combat knowledge is currently possessed only by Ukrainian and Russian forces, making North Korea an emerging threat.

Chernyak also dismissed reports that North Korean troops had disappeared from the front lines since mid-January. He explained that they had suffered massive casualties and were temporarily withdrawn for reorganization before being sent back into battle.

According to Ukraine’s estimates, North Korea could send an additional 150,000 troops to support Russia’s invasion. While North Korean soldiers initially struggled due to ineffective tactics, they quickly adapted and became more skilled fighters.

Despite being looked down upon by Russian soldiers, North Korean troops have demonstrated bravery and combat effectiveness, making them a growing factor in the war.

On the other hand, Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor at Tokyo’s Waseda University who specializes in North Korean leadership, believes the Pyongyang regime would not allow these troops to reintegrate into society because they could reveal details of their experiences.  

He suggested that execution is the most likely outcome, though imprisonment, essentially a death sentence, remains a possibility. He also noted that it was unfortunate their identities had been exposed on social media.

“If they choose not to return, then their families will be sent to prison camps where they will die, so these men may think that they could avoid that if they do agree to go back,” Shigemura said.

He pointed out, “Whether they choose to return or not, the authorities in North Korea will not want news of what has happened in Russia to be passed on to the rest of the population.”

Shigemura believes Kim miscalculated by sending troops to support Vladimir Putin’s war. He argues that Kim may have either overestimated his military’s capabilities or underestimated Ukraine’s resistance. 

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