Ukraine transfers captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the UN General Assembly that two North Korean prisoners of war have been handed over to South Korea. He criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for using soldiers as expendable assets in Russia's war against Ukraine. The soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025, and human rights groups had urged their repatriation to South Korea.
The two soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025, marking the first known apprehension of North Korean troops since Pyongyang began deploying forces to support Moscow's war effort in 2024. One prisoner reportedly attempted suicide upon capture and was surprised to survive. Zelenskyy had earlier floated the idea of exchanging them for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia, but human rights groups pushed instead for repatriation to South Korea, where the soldiers reportedly expressed interest in defecting.
South Korea's foreign ministry declined to confirm operational details of the transfer, citing safety concerns for the individuals and their families. The matter was previously discussed at a July summit in Ankara between President Lee Jae Myung and Zelenskyy, where both leaders agreed to handle the prisoners' status under international law and humanitarian principles while respecting their free will.
This transfer could reshape diplomatic dynamics across Northeast Asia, potentially strengthening Ukraine-South Korea ties while deepening Pyongyang's isolation. The soldiers' fate may influence how North Korean troops view surrender in future engagements, and Seoul's handling of the defectors could affect inter-Korean relations and domestic political discourse in South Korea. Regional observers may also watch how Russia and North Korea respond diplomatically, as the precedent could encourage further defections or alter Pyongyang's deployment calculations.