Seoul: Six South Korean activists who visited Ukraine in May to discuss the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) have been booked by police on charges of violating passport laws.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Jang Se-yul, who leads the Seoul-based North Korean defector group Gyeoreol Unification Solidarity, reported that Seoul's foreign ministry had reported the group to police on suspicion of violating the Passport Act. The activists traveled to Ukraine from May 7-11 in an effort to prevent the forced repatriation of two North Korean POWs captured while fighting for Russia in the Kursk region in early 2025. The two have reportedly expressed their desire to go to South Korea.

During their visit, the activists met with officials at the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War under Ukraine's defense ministry. They called for support for the POWs' wishes and warned of the risks the soldiers would face if repatriated to North Korea. Jang claimed that the foreign ministry had required recommendation letters from the unification minister and that they were unable to secure these before departing for Ukraine due to a tight schedule.

Ukraine has been on South Korea's travel ban list since February 2022. The foreign ministry advised South Koreans to leave travel-banned countries unless they have obtained exceptional permission to use their passports, adding that those who fail to comply may face criminal charges. The ministry declined to comment further on the matter, citing the ongoing investigation.