Ukraine transfers two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, first in Russia-Ukraine war
Quick Look
- Ukrainian President Zelensky announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
- This is the first time that North Korean prisoners of war have been sent to South Korea since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Zelensky said one of the captives tried to blow himself up when he realized he was about to be captured, and was shocked that he was not dead.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
North Korea sent troops to Russia in 2024 to assist its combat operations in Ukraine. Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region in January last year, the first capture of North Korean personnel since the outbreak of the war. Zelensky has expressed his willingness to return the Ukrainians captured by Russia to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in exchange for them, but human rights groups worry that the prisoners of war will face punishment after repatriation.
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday (23rd) that Ukraine had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. This was the first batch of North Korean prisoners of war to be transferred to South Korea since the start of the Ukraine-Russia war.
"Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea," Zelensky said in a speech at the United Nations, according to Reuters. "It was not easy to capture these people alive. One of them tried to blow himself up when he realized he was about to be captured. And he was shocked that fate did not let him die."
The report pointed out that Ukraine captured the two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region of Russia in January last year. They were the first North Korean soldiers captured alive by Ukraine since North Korea entered the Russia-Ukraine war in 2024.
Zelensky did not disclose further details of the transfer. According to the Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it was difficult to confirm whether the North Korean prisoners had been transferred, through what channels, and at the specific time. However, it did not deny Zelensky's statement. It was speculated that these prisoners of war had been safely delivered and were protected by relevant institutions in South Korea.
Zelensky has said in the past that he would be willing to return the two North Korean soldiers to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if he could facilitate an exchange of Ukrainians captured by Russia. However, human rights groups have called on Zelensky to send the two soldiers to South Korea on the grounds that the soldiers may face the risk of punishment if they are returned to North Korea. South Korean media also reported that the two captured North Korean soldiers had expressed their wish to defect to South Korea.
Zelensky also criticized North Korea for sending troops to fight for Russia. He said: "This is also a crazy thing. Why should South Koreans sacrifice their lives in a war against Ukraine? Kim Jong Un uses them as currency, and he will get something in return for it."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
South Korea will provide asylum or asylum to the two North Korean prisoners of war
Likely · Within weeks
North Korea will condemn Ukraine's move and may use it as a reason to increase military aid to Russia
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Through what channels was this transfer carried out?
- What is the current specific placement situation of prisoners of war in South Korea?
- Will South Korea publicly state its position on this matter?
- How did North Korea react to this?
