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South Korea Asks Red Cross to Help Two Captured North Korean Soldiers Reach Seoul
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina met ICRC Director General Pierre Krahenbuhl in Seoul on Tuesday. She requested cooperation so that two captured North Korean soldiers held as POWs in Ukraine can come to South Korea if they wish.
Jul 21, 7:28 AM·1m read2 sources
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Kim Jina, South Korea's second vice foreign minister, held talks Tuesday in Seoul with ICRC Director General Pierre Krahenbuhl and asked the organization to facilitate the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers from Ukrainian custody if they elect to relocate.
Yonhap reported the encounter, during which Kim stated South Korea's readiness to accept the soldiers and sought ICRC support for their free choice under the principle of non-refoulement. The two soldiers were captured early last year in Russia's Kursk region while fighting against Ukraine and have remained in Ukrainian custody as prisoners of war.
They reportedly expressed a desire to come to South Korea.
Kim thanked the ICRC for its work on international humanitarian law and mediation. She also reaffirmed South Korea's commitment as a donor to humanitarian efforts. Krahenbuhl thanked the South Korean government for its financial support and cooperation and invited greater South Korean participation in strengthening international humanitarian law.
