- Zelenskyy announced the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on the 23rd.
- South Korean opposition lawmaker Yu Yong-weon reported that the two North Koreans had arrived in South Korea three to four days ago after leaving Ukraine last weekend.
- Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region in January last year.
- In February 2025, the captured soldiers expressed a desire to defect to South Korea, stating, "Being captured is akin to betrayal."
- In July, President Lee Jae Myung and Zelenskyy agreed to resolve the issue of the North Korean prisoners in a manner consistent with international law and humanitarian principles.
- South Korea announced in June that it would accept all North Korean prisoners of war who fought for Russia and opposed any repatriation to Russia or North Korea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. He stated, 9We recently sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea,9 emphasizing the need to protect their lives.6
The two soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk region in January last year, marking the first time North Korean soldiers have been apprehended alive since the country joined the conflict in 2024. Zelenskyy noted, 9These guys are not easy to capture alive. One of them, when he realized he was going to be taken prisoner, tried to kill himself. And he was shocked that fate did not let him die.9
Zelenskyy criticized Kim Jong Un for using the prisoners as leverage, stating, 9Kim Jong Un uses them like currency. And he gets something in return.9 He highlighted the humanitarian implications, questioning, 9Why should North Koreans sacrifice their lives in the war with Ukraine?9 Human rights groups have urged for their repatriation to South Korea, citing the risks of punishment they would face if returned to North Korea.
The South Korean government has expressed its commitment to accept all North Korean prisoners of war who fought for Russia, with reports indicating that the two soldiers had expressed a desire to defect. South Korean opposition lawmaker Yu Yong-weon confirmed their arrival in South Korea, stating, 9While their exact location is unknown, I believe our intelligence agencies are protecting them.9
“The prisoners, captured in Russia's Kursk region in January last year, were the first North Korean soldiers apprehended alive since 2024. One attempted suicide upon capture, and South Korean media reported their desire to defect, with lawmaker Yu Yong-weon saying intelligence agencies are protecting them.”
