Parties clash over secret repatriation of North Korean POWs from Ukraine
Ruling and opposition parties clashed over the government’s decision to keep the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) from Ukraine confidential, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the arrangement and the opposition questioned whether Seoul had been too concerned about provoking Pyongyang. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) defended the decision,…
The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and opposition parties in South Korea have been at odds over the government's secretive repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the agreement, prompting the opposition to question whether Seoul had been overly cautious about potentially escalating tensions with Pyongyang.
The ruling DPK defended the decision, asserting that it was essential to safeguard the individuals and maintain national security. President Lee Jae Myung expressed disappointment with Kyiv's disclosure, alleging that Zelenskyy had violated a bilateral agreement to keep the transfer confidential. He also harshly criticized opposition politicians for challenging the government's decision, labeling them as "murderers and traitors" for jeopardizing lives and national security for personal gain.
The DPK's spokesperson, Shin Hyun-young, defended the government's stance, emphasizing that the priority was to protect the two former North Korean soldiers.
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