The South Korean Foreign Ministry declared Thursday that North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukrainian forces are considered citizens of the Republic of Korea under its constitution, marking a bold assertion of sovereignty over the entire Korean Peninsula.
Constitutional Claim
Deputy spokesperson Lee Moon-bae stated that Seoul has maintained this position "since the outset" and has conveyed it to Ukrainian authorities. The statement, while brief, carries profound implications for the diplomatic status of North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Under South Korea's constitution, the entire Korean Peninsula is considered ROK territory, making all ethnic Koreans theoretically eligible for South Korean citizenship. This provision, a remnant of the unresolved Korean War that ended in armistice rather than peace treaty in 1953, has rarely been invoked with such geopolitical consequence.
"We have conveyed our stance to the Ukrainian side from the outset," Lee told reporters at a regular briefing. "Specific details cannot be shared due to sensitivity surrounding the prisoners' safety and welfare."
Media Coverage Concerns
The Foreign Ministry's announcement came alongside an unusual appeal to news organizations regarding coverage of the captured soldiers. A ministry official requested outlets protect the prisoners' identities following MBC's broadcast of interviews featuring two POWs with visible faces.
In those interviews, the captured soldiers discussed their uncertain futures and expressed fears about returning to North Korea, where defectors and POWs historically face severe punishment. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that "individuals involved should be protected in media coverage" and are entitled to "humane treatment under international law."
