Ukraine sent two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Wednesday at the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Zelensky criticized North Korea for deploying troops to fight alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine. He recounted the harrowing circumstances of the two prisoners' capture, noting that one soldier attempted suicide upon realization he would be taken captive.

The two soldiers were first apprehended alive in Russia's Kursk region in January 2024, marking the first such incident since North Korea joined the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zelensky had previously expressed his willingness to exchange the soldiers for Ukrainian nationals held captive in Russia. Human rights groups urged Zelensky to repatriate the soldiers to South Korea due to the high risks they faced.

South Korea's foreign ministry confirmed they would not confirm the details of the return, citing safety concerns for the soldiers and their families. South Korean unification officials did not respond to a request for comment. South Korea has stated it would accept all North Korean prisoners of war who fought for Russia, rejecting any repatriation to Russia or North Korea.

North Korea has reportedly sent between 14,000 and 15,000 soldiers to Russia since the war began in 2024, primarily in the Kursk region, assisting Moscow's forces. The country has also supplied Russia with substantial military equipment, including artillery, missiles, and rocket systems.