Petro Yatsenko, spokesperson for Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said his country must repatriate them in adherence to international law during his exclusive interview with Radio Free Asia (RFA) last week.
He explained that captured soldiers must be released and repatriated without delay after the end of hostilities, in accordance with the Third Geneva Convention, which outlines the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs).
The spokesperson further clarified that Ukraine is prepared to transfer the North Korean prisoners back to their homeland in exchange for Ukrainian soldiers held captive by Russian forces.
His remarks came after President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a prisoner exchange earlier this month, saying that Ukraine is "ready to hand over its people to [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-un if he can organize their exchange for our soldiers who are held captive in Russia."
Regarding the North Korean soldiers it captured, Yatsenko emphasized that prisoners are being treated in compliance with the Geneva Conventions, receiving proper nutrition and medical care, with access to visits by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
They are also allowed to receive letters and parcels. He also mentioned that a few journalists have been permitted to visit them to check their conditions.
North Korea is believed to have sent over 10,000 soldiers to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, though neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have confirmed or denied their presence.
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