[Edaily Reporter Kong Chi-Yu ] Regarding the repatriation to South Korea of two North Korean soldiers—who were deployed to the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequently captured by Ukrainian forces—intelligence authorities stated on the 30th, “A confidential agreement was reached through various channels, including a phone call between the foreign ministers of both countries and consultations between the local embassy and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” They analyzed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public announcement of the repatriation of the North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea was intended to secure support, such as weapons.

Rep. Yoo Young-ha of the People Power Party, the opposition floor leader on the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee, told reporters after a plenary session of the committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, that he had received this confidential briefing from the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Rep. Yoo reported that the NIS stated regarding the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, “Discussions were conducted under a consensus that ‘this matter must be handled confidentially from the very beginning of the consultations,’” adding that a confidential agreement had been reached during communications between diplomatic officials and the embassy.

Rep. Yoo added, “The government expressed strong regret to the Ukrainian side on the 27th and demanded an official apology. Ukraine has never expressed regret or offered an apology, either officially or unofficially, in response.”

Rep. Yoo stated that he had received a report from the National Intelligence Service confirming that Ukraine had not imposed any conditions for repatriation on the South Korean government, nor had the South Korean government offered any support. Rep. Yoo said, “According to the intelligence agency’s analysis, the reason President Zelenskyy unilaterally announced the prisoner repatriation was based on the expectation that ‘if the prisoners were repatriated, public opinion in South Korea might favor providing various forms of support, such as weapons, to the Ukrainian government.’”

Rep. Yoon Geon-young of the Democratic Party of Korea, the ruling party’s secretary on the Intelligence Committee, said, “The NIS reported that there are no major health concerns regarding the prisoners who have arrived in the country,” adding, “Their free will to enter South Korea was confirmed on several occasions. They reported that the prisoners are scheduled to arrive in South Korea in mid-September.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Yoon reported that the NIS analyzed a statement issued that day by Kim Yo-jong, Director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea, regarding a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the western front—in which she called it “a farce staged by Seoul”—as an attempt “to sever any connection with North Korea.” The NIS reportedly presented evidence, including the fact that the statement was issued by Director Kim rather than the military. Rep. Yoo also said, “The NIS is analyzing the statement’s content as having been delivered in a very ‘low-key’ manner.”

The NIS also reported to the National Assembly that Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, is strengthening her position as a designated successor. According to the ruling and opposition party secretaries of the Intelligence Committee, the NIS analyzed Ju-ae’s standing, stating, “Her position as a designated successor is being strengthened, as evidenced by the elevation of her protocol status and level of attendance—such as her placement at the very center during the January 1 visit to the Kumsusan Palace, and her first appearances at events commemorating revolutionary martyrs on Victory Day and the Day of National Liberation.”

In its report to the National Assembly that day, the NIS also provided its own assessment of Ju Ae’s personal details, stating that she is believed to be 160 cm tall and weigh at least 50 kg.