S. Korean gov't effectively confirms repatriation of N. Korean POWs from Ukraine

The government effectively confirmed the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces, Thursday, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that two prisoners of war (POWs) had been sent to South Korea. South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Seoul has consistently maintained that the issue should be resolved in a manner that respects the prisoners' free will and complies with international law and humanitarian principles. "Based on this position, we have conducted necessary communication and consultations with Ukraine as well as other relevant countries and institutions," a ministry official was quoted by news reports as saying. The ministry did not issue an explicit denial of Zelenskyy's disclosure, effectively confirming that Seoul has been involved in discussions over their transfer. The ministry also declined to provide details about whether individual prisoners had been transferred, or about the timing, route or specific contents of bilateral discussions, citing the sensitive nature of the matter. The two North Korean soldiers were captured