Full Breakdown
Zelensky’s Claims on North Korean Troop Deployments and the South Korean Diplomatic Row
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Core Developments
On September 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 8,000 North Korean troops are already in Russia and preparations are under way to add 10,000. He also disclosed that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea, prompting a diplomatic protest from Seoul the next day.
Background & Context
North Korea has been sending personnel to Russia since 2024. Ukrainian and South Korean estimates put the total number of North Korean combatants in Russia at 14,000-15,000, mainly in the Kursk region. The two POWs were seized in Kursk Oblast in January 2025 and, after a year of negotiations, were sent to South Korea on humanitarian grounds.
Data & Statistics
- Current NK presence in Russia: >8,000 troops (Zelensky claim).
- Planned additional NK deployment: 10,000 troops (Zelensky claim).
- Cumulative NK troops sent since 2024: 14,000-15,000 (Ukrainian and South Korean estimates).
- North Korean POWs transferred to South Korea: 2 individuals captured in January 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
Zelensky framed the troop surge as part of Russia’s effort to “increase the involvement of foreigners” and warned that Russia is providing technological assistance to North Korea, including Shahed attack drones. He criticized Kim Jong Un for treating soldiers “like currency.”
South Korea’s senior presidential secretary for public relations, Seong Ghi-hong, issued a statement on September 27 expressing “strong regret” over what Seoul called Ukraine’s “false announcement” that no confidentiality agreement existed. President Lee Jae Myung called the disclosure “greatly disappointing” and said the transfer was a “highly sensitive issue” for national security.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelensky, linked the dispute to broader security concerns, arguing that South Korea’s support for Ukraine is tied to containing an “aggressive totalitarian axis.”
Criticism & Opposition
South Korean officials say Zelensky’s announcement jeopardized the POWs’ safety and breached a confidential understanding reached during talks, warning it could damage trust between Kyiv and Seoul.
Ukrainian aide Dmytro Lytvyn countered that no binding non-disclosure pact existed, asserting Kyiv’s decision aligns with its “open” governance approach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today, the GUR reported on the measures that Russia is planning in the future,” — Zelensky
- “This is how evil spreads and how a threat to life in one part of the world spreads to other parts of the world,” — Zelensky
- “The presidential office expresses strong regret over Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure and its subsequent false announcement that there had not been a non-disclosure agreement,” — Seong Ghi-hong
- “When North Korea actively participates in a war in Europe, South Korea cannot remain a distant observer,” — Mykhailo Podolyak
Timeline
- June 17: Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Zelensky meet at a G7 summit in Canada.
- September 27: South Korea’s presidential office expresses “strong regret” over the disclosure.
- September 28: Zelensky announces NK troop numbers and the transfer of two POWs to South Korea.
What’s Next
Both governments said diplomatic dialogue will continue to resolve the confidentiality dispute and address North Korean involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war. No specific actions or deadlines were disclosed.