Ukraine in talks with South Korea over North Korean POWs
Ukraine is in talks with South Korea regarding the repatriation of prisoners from North Korea, according to the Yonhap agency. What is known about their future?
Ukraine has initiated a dialogue with South Korea concerning the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured as prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces. This information was reported by the South Korean Yonhap agency, citing the foreign ministry in Seoul.
According to the agency, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul discussed the issue of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainians with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrij Sybiha, during a phone conversation. Earlier, on January 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces captured two North Koreans. Notably, Mateusz Tomczak, a journalist for WP, mentioned that "South Korea has already declared it is ready to accept any North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces who expresses such a desire."
Ukrainian drones in battle
It is important to note that during the fights with Ukrainians, a major challenge for North Korean soldiers supporting Russia is drones, including modified commercial FPV drones. The North Koreans, unprepared for modern technologies, are suffering significant losses due to these devices. Ukrainians use drones for precision attacks, forcing opponents to change their tactics.
To counteract the drones, the North Koreans employ bait tactics. One soldier draws the drone’s attention while others attempt to shoot it down. Nevertheless, their actions are often chaotic and ineffective, leading to further losses. Meanwhile, Ukrainians are adapting their methods, targeting more significant groups of opponents.
The Ukrainian threat to North Koreans
The change in North Korean tactics includes moving into smaller groups and hiding from drones. Despite this, their coordination with the Russians remains problematic. Due to advanced technologies and flexible strategies, Ukrainians still dominate, making it difficult for opponents to mount an effective defense.
"Baba Yaga" drones and FPVs are crucial in Ukrainian strategy. The former, capable of carrying heavy loads, are used for bombardments and reconnaissance. FPV drones, although single-use, are effective in attacks on ground targets. The North Koreans, despite attempts at adaptation, still struggle to cope with these threats.
