POW identity disclosure violates Geneva Conventions, ICRC says

By Woo Jae-yeon

SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- Disclosing the identity of prisoners of war (POWs) runs counter to the Geneva Conventions and could jeopardize their safety, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said.

"POWs must be protected against public curiosity," David Quesne, the ICRC head of mission in South Korea, said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Monday. "Anything that could identify them could endanger them or their families. This principle applies in all international armed conflicts."

Quesne made the comments when asked about two North Korean soldiers captured in Russia's Kursk region early last year who are currently held as POWs in Ukraine. North Korea, a close ally of Russia, is estimated to have deployed over 10,000 soldiers to support Russian forces in the war against Ukraine.

While noting that he could not comment on specific cases, he drew attention to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which holds that POWs are considered to be in a vulnerable environment where their ability to make free and informed decisions may be limited.

He was speaking of media reports that the two North Koreans had expressed a wish to go to South Korea rather than return home for fear of grave punishment, including torture and execution.

"They are isolated from family, country and normal information. They have gone through war and trauma," he said, adding that "IHL considers that they may not be able to make fully informed decisions. This principle exists to protect them."

He stressed the ICRC's role in ensuring that Russia and Ukraine abide by IHL and the Geneva Conventions, saying the organization remains "in regular contact with" them and engages on POW-related issues.

Last week, ICRC Korea opened a special exhibition, "Wars Have Limits," marking the 60th anniversary of South Korea's accession to the Geneva Conventions and also calling attention to what Quesne described as the "blatant disregard" for international norms seen across today's conflicts.

The number of armed conflicts rose to around 130 in 2024, more than double the number 15 years ago. Among them, over 20 conflicts have lasted for more than two decades, "leaving entire generations who have known nothing but war," according to the ICRC's Humanitarian Outlook 2026 posted on its website.

"We see violations in all those major conflicts -- from Ukraine to Gaza, from Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There is basically almost no exception," he said.

"That is also why it's important for us to remind everyone that they all signed these agreements and that we need to return to them."

Touching on a recent attack on a South Korean cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, he warned such incidents are having "global humanitarian consequences" for civilians and organizations like the ICRC alike.

The disruption to supply chains is cutting off critical goods, like food, fuel, medicine and fertilizers, to some of the world's most vulnerable populations. He noted that countries around the strait produce around 20 percent of the world's fertilizers, much of which Africa depends on to grow food.

"It is having a terrible impact on our capacity to deliver relief" he said, warning delayed operations can cost lives. "People don't get what they need, or getting sick, or wounds not being treated in time."

Quesne, who joined the ICRC in 2007 and has worked in conflict zones including Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, took up his post in Seoul in September last year. This interview was his first with a Korean media outlet since assuming the role.

Describing South Korea as a "main player in the international arena," he expressed hope for deeper cooperation on issues ranging from artificial intelligence in warfare to broader humanitarian crises.

In particular, he urged Seoul to join the ICRC's IHL initiative, launched in 2024, which seeks to reassert political commitment to the rules of war and reverse the growing trend of violations.

"Overall, our engagement with South Korea is already very active and constructive, and we appreciate it greatly. But of course, we always hope for more," he said.