South Korean Foreign Ministry: ”If North Korean prisoners of war wish to go to South Korea, we will accept them all”

On the 19th, the South Korean government said about the North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine, "In accordance with our basic principle of 'accepting anyone who wishes to go to South Korea' and related laws, we will provide them with the necessary protection and
"We will continue to provide support," he said. A South Korean Foreign Ministry official said on the same day, "Under the constitution, the North Korean military is our country's citizen."
He continued, "Respecting the free will of individuals regarding the repatriation of prisoners of war is not only in line with international law and practice, but is also a fundamental right of the individual to repatriate."
"We have already conveyed this position of our government to the Ukrainian side, and we will continue to hold discussions with them," he said.
Meanwhile, the South Korean daily newspaper "Chosun Ilbo" published an interview with a North Korean soldier named Ri, who was captured by the Ukrainian military last month, on the 19th, in which Ri said, "I want to go to South Korea."
It was reported that he has made clear his intention to do so.