The South Korean government is working to facilitate the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces after being deployed to Russia’s Kursk region. However, reports on Mar. 5 suggest that both the United States and Russia are likely to become involved in the matter.
Sources indicate that if Russia, at the request of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s regime, strongly opposes the prisoners’ transfer to South Korea during ceasefire negotiations with the U.S. over the Ukraine war, Washington may consider taking them in. U.S. intelligence agencies are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing the prisoners to the U.S. if Moscow blocks their relocation to Seoul.
Ri, 26, and Baek, 21, met with a journalist from The Chosunilbo and Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) last month at a Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camp, where they expressed their desire to go to South Korea. However, there is now a possibility that their fate could be determined without regard for their wishes.
A diplomatic source in Seoul said, “U.S. intelligence agencies are exploring the option of bringing the North Korean POWs to the U.S. Depending on the progress of ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Moscow, the situation could shift rapidly.”
According to the source, U.S. intelligence agencies have intercepted communications between Russia and North Korea discussing the captured soldiers. The Kim regime, which has kept its military deployment to Russia under wraps, reportedly requested that Moscow prevent the POWs from reaching South Korea. In response, Russia is said to have expressed its willingness to accommodate Pyongyang’s demand.
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, disregarding North Korea’s request is not an option, as Pyongyang has sent more than 12,000 troops to support Moscow. Russia is expected to firmly oppose the transfer of North Korean POWs to South Korea as part of its ceasefire negotiations with the U.S. Last month, Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for treating wounded Russian soldiers in North Korean medical facilities.
U.S. intelligence agencies believe that if Russia claims the captured North Koreans as its own troops and insists on their repatriation, sending them to South Korea may become unfeasible. At the same time, returning them to Russia could mean their eventual transfer to North Korea, where they risk execution. In light of this, Washington is reportedly weighing a discreet plan to take them in. U.S. officials see significant intelligence value in the prisoners, particularly regarding North Korea’s military operations and its cooperation with Russia. Since their capture last year, the U.S. has considered bringing them to American soil to gather intelligence on both the North Korean and Russian armed forces.
Observers believe the final decision on the prisoners’ fate will rest with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has prioritized a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine and progress on North Korea’s denuclearization. His stance on the matter could ultimately determine the outcome for the POWs.
The administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had initially responded positively to Seoul’s request regarding the captured North Korean soldiers. In a recent interview, Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko said, “If they [the North Korean POWs] refuse to return to their home country, Ukraine is open to discussions with international partners, particularly South Korea.”
However, given Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. military aid, Washington’s potential involvement could shift Kyiv’s position. Some observers believe Ukraine would likely prioritize American interests over South Korea’s request.
The worst-case scenario, analysts say, is that the Trump administration could strike a deal with Russia, agreeing to return the POWs to North Korea in exchange for assurances that they will not be executed or mistreated.
