Seoul's announcement came after a North Korean POW reportedly expressed his desire to settle in South Korea, raising questions about whether his request would be granted.

South Korea will offer "necessary protection and support" to North Korean prisoners of war captured in Ukraine who wish to come to the South, Seoul said Wednesday.

South Korea has stated that it is ready to accept any North Korean soldiers captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces who wish to defect to the South, reports Bloomberg. “North Korean soldiers are our citizens under the Constitution and respecting individuals’ free will is in line with the international law and customs,