Happens when MYSQL/MARIADB database is set to store data in utf8 format.
When you retrieve data via a COBOL program using OPENESQL to access the database you get Latin characters.
You also get Latin characters back when using ISQL to access the database.
If you use MYSQL to access the database you get UTF-8 characters back.

Output from running simple program.

simple started
 
get data should be in utf8mb4
Data value(�         )
in hex <F620>

F6 is Latin

Full article: https://portal.microfocus.com/s/article/KM000009974