Full Breakdown
Ukraine Sends Two North Korean POWs to South Korea, Says Zelensky
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Core Event: Transfer of North Korean Prisoners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has transferred two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia to the Republic of Korea. The announcement was made during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2026. Neither the South Korean government nor Ukrainian authorities gave details about the timing, route or final disposition, citing safety concerns.
Background & Context: North Korean Troops in the Russia-Ukraine War
North Korea began sending troops to support Russia in 2024. Ukrainian and South Korean estimates put the total number of North Korean combatants in Russia at roughly 14,000-15,000, with about 2,000 killed, according to South Korean intelligence. The two prisoners were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025, the first live captures of North Korean soldiers since Pyongyang started deploying forces abroad.
Data & Statistics
- Troop deployment: ? 14,000-15,000 North Korean soldiers.
- Casualties: ? 2,000 killed since October 2024.
- Capture date: January 2025, Kursk region.
- Transfer announcement: September 23, 2026, UNGA.
Official Statements & Responses
- Zelensky: Said the transfer was completed and noted that one captive attempted suicide when he realized he would become a prisoner. He condemned North Korean leader Kim Jong un for sending troops to fight for Russia, calling the practice “madness.”
- South Korean Foreign Ministry: Declined to confirm the transfer but said it was consulting with Kyiv to respect the soldiers’ free will and comply with international law. It reiterated that details could not be disclosed for safety reasons.
- Opposition lawmaker Yu Yong-weon: Reported the prisoners left Ukraine the previous weekend, transited a third country and arrived in South Korea three to four days later; their exact location remains undisclosed.
Human-rights groups urged that the prisoners be placed under South Korean protection rather than repatriated to North Korea.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea,” — Volodymyr Zelensky
- “The leader of North Korea sent his troops to Russia to support the weak points of the Russian army,” — Volodymyr Zelensky
Timeline
- January 2025: Two North Korean soldiers captured in Kursk.
- April 2025: South Korean intelligence estimates 15,000 North Korean troops in Russia, about 2,000 fatalities.
- September 23, 2026: Zelensky announces the transfer at the UNGA.
What's Next
South Korean officials said consultations with Ukraine are ongoing to determine the long-term status of the two former combatants, focusing on their expressed desire to remain in the South and on compliance with humanitarian standards. No specific future dates were disclosed.
