“North Korean POWs are constitutionally recognized as our citizens”
— South Korea calls for Ukraine’s support
Minister Kim Yung Ho meets with Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea
(March 21)
On March 21, Minister of Unification Kim Yung Ho met with Ukrainian
Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko to discuss the issue of
repatriating North Korean prisoners of war and the international situation.
Minister Kim explained that South Korea upholds the fundamental
principle that “North Korean prisoners of war with regard to the
situation in Ukraine are constitutionally recognized as Korean
nationals and that the nation will accept all who express a desire to
come to the South.”
Furthermore, Minister Kim emphasized that the South Korean
government stands ready to provide the necessary protection and
support to North Korean prisoners of war in accordance with relevant
laws and called on Ukraine for its active cooperation on the matter.
Ambassador Ponomarenko, in turn, stated that Ukraine is abiding by
international law, including the Geneva Conventions, with respect to
the issue of repatriating North Korean prisoners of war, and will
continue consulting with Seoul and the international community.
Both sides shared the view that South Korea and Ukraine are
important partners and agreed to continue communicating and
cooperating on the matter.
