Ukraine pledges to consider non-refoulement for detained N. Korean soldiers: civic group | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The Ukrainian government has affirmed that it will consider the humanitarian principle of not transferring prisoners of war against their will in the handling of two North Korean soldiers captured during its war with Russia, a civic group said Tuesday. The legal support bureau of Ukraine's defense ministry pledged to consider the non-refoulement principle for captured North Korean soldiers, a civic group supporting the prisoners of war said, citing a reply it received from Ukraine. North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukraine during the war with Russia, speak to a South Korean woman (L) at a detention center in Ukraine for prisoners of war, in this photo provided Oct. 31, 2025, by a civic group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) pbr@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #North Korean POWs in Ukraine Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N. Korean soldiers: civic group Next Ukraine pledges to consider non-refoulement for detained N.

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SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The Ukrainian government has affirmed that it will consider the humanitarian principle of not transferring prisoners of war against their will in the handling of two North Korean soldiers captured during its war with Russia, a civic group said Tuesday.
The legal support bureau of Ukraine's defense ministry pledged to consider the non-refoulement principle for captured North Korean soldiers, a civic group supporting the prisoners of war said, citing a reply it received from Ukraine.
The two young North Korean soldiers have been held in Ukraine for more than a year following Ukrainian forces' capture of them in January last year in what was once the front-line region of Russia's Kursk.
Through South Korean media, the North Korean soldiers expressed a wish to come to South Korea, with Seoul voicing its willingness to receive them through consultations with Ukraine.
It marks the first time that the Ukrainian government has expressed to a South Korean civic organization its willingness to consider the non-refoulement principle for the soldiers.
The group still voiced lingering concerns that the soldiers could be transferred against their will, calling for their relocation to a civic protection facility and a change in their status to that of those eligible for international protection.
North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukraine during the war with Russia, speak to a South Korean woman (L) at a detention center in Ukraine for prisoners of war, in this photo provided Oct. 31, 2025, by a civic group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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Ukraine pledges to consider non-refoulement for detained N. Korean soldiers: civic group

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukraine during the war with Russia, speak to a South Korean woman (L) at a detention center in Ukraine for prisoners of war, in this photo provided Oct. 31, 2025, by a civic group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) pbr@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #North Korean POWs in Ukraine Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N.

### Implications
- OK SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The Ukrainian government has affirmed that it will consider the humanitarian principle of not transferring prisoners of war against their will in the handling of two North Korean soldiers captured during its war with Russia, a civic group said Tuesday.
- The group still voiced lingering concerns that the soldiers could be transferred against their will, calling for their relocation to a civic protection facility and a change in their status to that of those eligible for international protection.
- North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukraine during the war with Russia, speak to a South Korean woman (L) at a detention center in Ukraine for prisoners of war, in this photo provided Oct. 31, 2025, by a civic group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) pbr@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #North Korean POWs in Ukraine Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N.
- Korea 'most hostile' nation (LEAD) Gov't to strictly enforce five-day vehicle rotation system for public sector (2nd LD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korean, korea, soldiers topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 538.