Key facts
- Ukraine transferred two North Korean soldiers captured by its forces to South Korea.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer during a UN General Assembly address.
- The two soldiers expressed a desire to come to South Korea.
- South Korea consulted with Ukraine on the matter, respecting the soldiers' free will and international law.
- Claims that Russia repeatedly requested the prisoners' handover were denied by Ukraine.
- The soldiers were captured in January 2025 after deployment to Russia's Kursk region.
Ukraine has recently transferred two North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukrainian forces, to South Korea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. Seoul has effectively confirmed the move, stating it consulted with Kyiv and respects the soldiers' wishes, while rejecting claims of Russian involvement in the transfer.
Zelenskyy stated during his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday (U.S. time) that "Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea." He added that one of the soldiers attempted suicide upon realizing he would be taken prisoner.
The Ukrainian presidential office later confirmed the transfer was a result of direct dialogue with Seoul, emphasizing that "They are members of the same Korean nation" and that South Korea considers them its citizens. The office refuted claims that Russia had requested the prisoners' handover.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured in January 2025 after being deployed to Russia's Kursk region. They had reportedly expressed a desire to come to South Korea through a North Korean defector group and interviews.
A South Korean foreign ministry official stated that while specific details could not be confirmed due to safety concerns for the soldiers and their families, Seoul had held talks with Ukraine and other entities based on respecting the soldiers' free will and adhering to international law and humanitarian principles. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Zelenskyy had previously agreed to handle such cases on humanitarian grounds during a summit in July.