Seoul: South Korea and Ukraine have reached an agreement to address the issue of two North Korean soldiers captured during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. This cooperation aims to resolve the situation in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles, as announced by Seoul’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday.

According to Anadolu Agency, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha engaged in discussions about the prisoners of war during a meeting on Friday at the sidelines of a Group of Seven gathering in France. The talks also covered various other pertinent issues.

The two North Korean soldiers were detained by Ukrainian forces in January of the previous year while they were fighting in alliance with Russian troops. Reports indicate that these prisoners have expressed a preference to relocate to South Korea rather than returning to their native North Korea.

Seoul has expressed openness to receiving the soldiers, contingent upon consultations with Ukraine. This move comes after South Korean Foreign Minister Cho reassured a parliamentary session earlier this month that Ukraine has provided assurances the prisoners will not be sent back to Russia. There have been concerns that returning them to Russia could lead to their eventual transfer to North Korea against their wishes.