Consultations under way for Ukrainian FM's visit to S. Korea

SEOUL, May 12 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry said Tuesday it is in consultations with Ukraine over Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's possible visit to Seoul, with the issue of repatriating North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) likely to be discussed. "We are in consultations with the Ukrainian side regarding the foreign minister's visit to South Korea," a foreign ministry official said. The two sides are expected to discuss the issue of North Korean POWs, along with other matters of mutual interest, another official said. The two North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukrainian forces after being deployed to the Kursk front in support of Russia, have expressed their intention to defect to South Korea. The Seoul government has maintained that North Korean soldiers are constitutionally regarded as South Korean nationals and that it would accept any POWs wishing to come to South Korea, while providing necessary protection and support in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. Footage captured from North Korea's Korean Central TV, in this file photo from Aug. 31, 2025, shows North Korean soldiers participating in the Russian-Ukraine war. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr(END)