South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, right, shakes hands with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha before bilateral talks at Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha discussed the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) captured during the Russia-Ukraine war, during the latter's visit to Seoul Tuesday.
It marked the first visit in 11 years by a Ukrainian foreign minister to South Korea for bilateral talks, according to the ministry.
Cho and Sybiha held a small-group meeting followed by an expanded luncheon meeting, during which the two sides discussed a wide range of mutual interests and bilateral cooperation, including the issue of the POWs currently held in Ukraine, according to ministry spokesperson Park Il.
"The two foreign ministers had a shared understanding that this matter should be resolved in a manner consistent with international law and humanitarian principles," Park said, adding that the government will continue its diplomatic efforts to advance and resolve the issue. He declined to elaborate further, citing the sensitivity of matters related to the safety of the detainees and their families.
