President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed disappointment on September 24 regarding Ukraine's public announcement of the return of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces. He stated, "Considering the various issues that could arise from making this public, it was appropriate to keep it confidential, and that was the agreement we reached. I do not know what circumstances led Ukraine to break this agreement, but it is quite regrettable."
While on a state visit to Mexico, President Yoon shared an article addressing criticism from the opposition on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), stating, "National affairs should be conducted for the country and its people, not for the benefit or popularity of the ruling party or its leaders."
He emphasized that the issue of repatriating North Korean POWs is a highly sensitive topic that significantly impacts diplomacy, security, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Yoon remarked, "Regardless of the state of inter-Korean relations or the potential loss of life, those who prioritize their own achievements and publicize the return of POWs for self-promotion may not understand our government's efforts to keep this matter confidential. They might even question if there is something wrong with our approach."
He added, "When considering someone's life, national security, and national interests, it is unacceptable to act in such a cruel and irresponsible manner."
Yoon noted that there were likely internal calls to disclose the return of the North Korean POWs, which would have clearly helped improve his administration's approval ratings. However, he reiterated that confidentiality was the most prudent course of action.
He stressed, "Those who harm someone's life and national interests for their own trivial gains can be called murderers or traitors. It is not right to criticize a reasonable and just decision to keep this matter confidential."
At the end of his post, Yoon expressed a heartfelt wish for an early end to the inhumane wars that result in countless deaths and destruction.
Earlier, on September 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced during a speech at the United Nations headquarters in New York that two North Korean soldiers, captured while supporting Russian forces, had recently been sent to South Korea. The South Korean government did not deny this, effectively acknowledging the repatriation.
The Blue House stated that due to the sensitive nature of the matter, which involves the safety of the individuals and their families, it is difficult to confirm details regarding the timing of their transfer, the route taken, or the specifics of the discussions between South Korea and Ukraine. The government explained that it has been in consultation with Ukraine to resolve the issue in a manner that respects the individuals' free will and aligns with international law and humanitarian principles.
The two North Korean soldiers are reported to have been deployed to Russia and captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region in January of last year. They have since expressed their desire to return to South Korea through media and defector organizations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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