Ukraine sent 2 captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, Zelenskyy says

In a recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that his nation has sent back two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. The Ukrainian leader stated, "Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea." These individuals, who were captured alive in Russia's Kursk region in January of the previous year, faced a harrowing experience.

One of the soldiers even attempted suicide upon realizing his fate. Despite the challenges, Zelenskyy did not disclose further information about the transfer. The two North Koreans were initially apprehended by Ukraine in January of the previous year, marking the first such capture since the country joined the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2024.

Zelenskyy had previously expressed his intention to exchange them for Ukrainians detained in Russia, but human rights organizations urged him to repatriate the soldiers to South Korea due to the potential dangers they could face.