Russia has repeatedly sought the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war during prisoner exchanges with Ukraine, according to an ROK lawmaker, warning that they are in danger of forced repatriation.

Kyiv has confirmed that Russia included the two POWs detained in Ukraine in lists of prisoners to be exchanged, Yu Yong-weon of the conservative People Power Party told reporters Tuesday, citing officials he met during a recent trip to Ukraine.

“If the South Korean government does not take a more proactive stance, we can’t completely rule out the possibility that these individuals could be included again in the exchange