Story perspectives

Ukraine Transfers Two North Korean POWs to South Korea

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 2:58 PM UTC · How we work

Center

47 Foreign Fighters

Ukraine sent two North Korea prisoners of war captured in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025 to South Korea.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia employs fighters from 47 countries—including Ghana, Nepal and India—and urged the UN to continue targeting Moscow's revenue sources.
South Korea said it is consulting Kyiv and will respect the soldiers' free will.
The transfer details remained unconfirmed by South Korea.

Left

Zelensky Condemns NK

Ukraine transferred two North Korea prisoners of war captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 to South Korea.
Human-rights groups and report stress the POWs’ wish to defect, urging protection under international law and repatriation to South Korea than North Korea.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned North Korea for sending citizens to fight for Russia, calling them “currency”.
South Korea officials declined to confirm transfer details, saying they must protect the soldiers’ safety.

Blindspot

Human-rights groups urged that the two North Korea prisoners of war be repatriated to South Korea rather than returned to North Korea, citing a risk of punishment.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

1 of 3

47 Foreign Fighters

Ukraine sent two North Korea prisoners of war captured in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025 to South Korea.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia employs fighters from 47 countries—including Ghana, Nepal and India—and urged the UN to continue targeting Moscow's revenue sources.
South Korea said it is consulting Kyiv and will respect the soldiers' free will.
The transfer details remained unconfirmed by South Korea.

1 / 3