Wed Dec 24 04:08:15 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) held by Ukraine have expressed their desire to defect to South Korea in a letter to a Seoul-based rights group. The letter, dated late October and revealed on December 24, 2025, thanks those supporting them and expresses their desire to start a new life in South Korea, viewing South Koreans as family. North Korea has reportedly sent troops to support Russia in the Ukraine invasion, and these two POWs were captured in January after being injured in battle.
News Article:
North Korean POWs Held in Ukraine Seek Defection to South Korea
Seoul, South Korea – December 24, 2025 – Two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) currently held in Ukraine have formally requested to defect to South Korea, according to a letter obtained by AFP. The letter, dated October 28, 2025, was addressed to a Seoul-based rights group and expresses the soldiers’ strong desire to begin a new life in South Korea.
The two men, captured in January after sustaining injuries while fighting in Ukraine, thanked those assisting them, stating that they now see their situation “not as a tragedy but as the beginning of a new life.” They further emphasized their deep connection to South Korea, writing, “We think of those in South Korea as our own parents and siblings and have decided to go into their embrace.”
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have reported that North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to support Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The specific circumstances of these two soldiers’ capture remain unclear, but prior reports indicated their intention to seek asylum in the South. This letter marks the first direct confirmation of their wishes.
Their names have been withheld to protect their safety. The situation underscores the complexities of the conflict in Ukraine and the involvement of international actors.
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