North Korean prisoners captured while fighting for Russia should be permitted to seek asylum in South Korea

Cross-border movement of people, including asylum seekers, refugees, and policy responses.

Legal frameworks and operational programs designed to safeguard people displaced across international borders.

Ukraine transferred two North Korean soldiers captured in Russia's Kursk region to South Korea. The soldiers had reportedly expressed an intention to defect, while human-rights organisations warned that returning them to North Korea would expose them to punishment. Seoul criticised the public disclosure because of the security and diplomatic risks. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung effectively confirmed the transfer by criticising Ukraine for making it public, although South Korean ministries withheld operational details.