Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered to trade two North Korean soldiers, captured while fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia. This proposal came after Ukraine announced the capture of the soldiers, who were reportedly wounded in combat. The Ukrainian military did not immediately confirm their nationality, but South Korea’s National Intelligence Service later verified their North Korean origin.
Zelensky emphasized that if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could organize the release of Ukrainian POWs, Kyiv would return the captured soldiers. He also hinted at the possibility of more North Korean fighters being taken captive in the future. Zelensky extended a unique offer to those North Korean soldiers who wished not to return home: they could remain in Ukraine and work to promote peace by sharing their stories about the war.
Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has officially acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine. However, Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot rely on Russia’s own forces alone, needing North Korean support to bolster his military efforts.
In a video released by the Ukrainian president, two North Korean soldiers were seen undergoing interrogation. One soldier claimed he had been misled by his commanders, believing he was simply training rather than engaging in combat. Another soldier expressed his desire to stay in Ukraine, but remained obedient to whatever orders he was given.
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