Ministers seek resolution in line with international law and humanitarian principles

Jo Hyun says Seoul closely watching diplomatic efforts toward end of war

South Korean Foreign Minister Jo Hyun poses for a photo with visiting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs annex of the Government Seoul Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday afternoon. [Yonhap]
South Korean Foreign Minister Jo Hyun poses for a photo with visiting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs annex of the Government Seoul Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday afternoon. [Yonhap]

South Korean Foreign Minister Jo Hyun discussed the issue of North Korean prisoners of war held in Ukraine during talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Jo and Sybiha held consultations in Seoul on major bilateral issues and regional affairs. The two ministers met in a small-group session as well as an expanded luncheon meeting.

Jo welcomed Sybiha, whose visit marks the first by a Ukrainian foreign minister to South Korea in 11 years and the first since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

"I appreciate that the two countries have maintained the momentum of cooperation by continuing high-level exchanges despite the difficult circumstances since the war began," Jo said.

Sybiha said he was pleased to meet Jo again in Seoul, following their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in France in March. "I hope my visit to South Korea will serve as an opportunity to advance cooperation between the two countries across a wide range of areas," he added.

Jo said the South Korean government is closely watching diplomatic efforts toward ending the war and expressed hope that negotiations would lead to meaningful progress soon. The ministry said Jo also explained that Seoul is continuing to provide humanitarian support for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.

The two ministers agreed to seek a resolution that respects the free will of those involved in the North Korean POW issue and is consistent with international law and humanitarian principles.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sybiha said the two sides "discussed the issue of North Korean prisoners of war in detail and reached a shared understanding on how to handle it in accordance with international humanitarian law."

The remarks suggest that detailed discussions took place regarding the possible transfer of North Korean POWs to South Korea.

Asked about the possibility of repatriating North Korean POWs to South Korea, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il said the North Korean soldiers held as POWs in Ukraine have consistently expressed a desire to come to South Korea. "If a decision is made for them to come to South Korea, the process will proceed in accordance with our domestic legal procedures," Park said.

The talks also touched on the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea. Sybiha said he raised the fact that Russia has directly involved North Korea in the war in Ukraine and is providing Pyongyang with various benefits in return. "We also exchanged views on the common challenges arising from the deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang," he said.


moone@heraldcorp.com