Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a proposal to return two captured North Korean soldiers to their home country in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia. The move underscores Ukraine’s ongoing effort to expose and counter foreign involvement in Russia’s war.
Captured on January 9, the North Korean soldiers are reportedly receiving medical care in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials, with assistance from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), are questioning the prisoners, who only speak Korean. President Zelensky revealed images of the soldiers, noting their injuries and emphasizing Ukraine’s readiness to provide them an alternative path if they do not wish to return to North Korea.
“For those who seek peace and truth, options will be available,” Zelensky stated on social media.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said the soldiers were carrying documentation suggesting attempts to conceal their origins. One soldier held a Russian military ID with details linked to the Tuva Republic, near Mongolia, while the other had no identification. During questioning, one soldier reportedly claimed that North Korean units underwent military training in Russia in late 2024, allegedly unaware they were being sent to Ukraine.
Zelensky’s office accused Russia of deliberately disguising the involvement of North Korean troops by falsifying their identification papers. Reports from South Korea and Ukraine last year estimated that North Korea deployed at least 10,000 soldiers to support Russia’s military efforts. The White House has described the conditions faced by these forces as catastrophic, with high casualties reported.
While international media, including the BBC, have not independently verified the specifics of Ukraine’s account, the proposal signals Ukraine’s attempt to highlight foreign participation in Russia’s war. South Korea previously reported the death of another North Korean soldier captured alive by Ukrainian forces, further fueling concerns about the scale of North Korea’s involvement.
Zelensky asserted that Russia’s reliance on foreign troops like these demonstrates its weakened position. He reiterated that transparency in the conflict is vital, adding that Ukraine remains committed to upholding international conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war.
