Ukraine transfers two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, Zelensky says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, according to a report on UN General Assembly proceedings. Speaking to the assembly, Zelensky explained that capturing these soldiers was a difficult task. One of the prisoners attempted suicide upon realization of his predicament, only to be thwarted by fate. The exact circumstances of their return remain undisclosed by Zelensky.

These North Koreans were captured in Russia's Kursk region in January of the previous year. They marked the first time North Korean soldiers were taken alive since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine erupted in 2024. Zelensky had indicated his willingness to hand them over to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in exchange for Ukrainian captives held in Russia. However, human rights organizations urged Zelensky to return the soldiers to South Korea, citing the potential dangers they might face.

Media from South Korea reported that the two soldiers had shown a desire to defect to South Korea. Zelensky also criticized North Korea for its military support of Russia during his speech. He decried the situation as "madness" and expressed disbelief that Koreans would sacrifice their lives in a war against Ukraine. According to Zelensky, Kim Jong Un treats these soldiers as a form of currency, receiving something in return for their service.

North Korea has reportedly deployed between 14,000 and 15,000 soldiers to Russia's support in Ukraine since 2024, as per estimates from both Ukraine and South Korea. Most of these troops were stationed in Russia's Kursk region, where they were instrumental in aiding Moscow's forces to thwart a Ukrainian advance. In addition to their presence on the ground, North Korea has provided Russia with a significant amount of military equipment, including millions of artillery and mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery, and multiple-launch rocket systems, as per Ukrainian and independent assessments.