Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces have been sent to South Korea, a claim that the South Korean government has not denied.
In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, Zelenskyy stated, "We recently sent two North Korean soldiers to the Republic of Korea." He added, "It is not easy to capture them; one of them attempted to take his own life when he realized he was being captured, and he was shocked that fate did not allow him to die."
Zelenskyy continued to criticize North Korea, saying, "This is how they raise people in North Korea, taking away their freedom and right to choose." He questioned, "Why should North Koreans sacrifice their lives in a war with Ukraine? Should we give such forces more time to learn how to wage war?"
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has consistently maintained the position that the issue of North Korean soldiers should be resolved in a manner that respects the free will of the individuals involved and aligns with international law and humanitarian principles. The ministry added that it has engaged in necessary communication and consultations with relevant countries and organizations, including Ukraine.
However, the ministry noted that it could not confirm details regarding the handling of the individuals, including timing, routes, or specific agreements between the two countries. While the government refrained from providing specific confirmations, it did not deny Zelenskyy's statement.
Given Zelenskyy's announcement of their transfer to South Korea, it appears that the two North Korean soldiers have already arrived in the country. However, details regarding their handling and protection procedures have not been disclosed.
The two North Korean soldiers were reportedly captured by Ukrainian forces in January 2026 in the Kursk region of Russia. Their existence became known when Zelenskyy revealed their capture on social media. They have since expressed their intention to defect to South Korea through handwritten letters sent to North Korean defector organizations.
The South Korean government has indicated its willingness to accept the North Korean soldiers, as they have expressed their desire to defect through media interviews and defector organizations.
President Yoon Suk Yeol discussed the issue of North Korean soldiers during his first summit with Zelenskyy on July 8 at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
At that time, Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong explained, "The two leaders agreed to resolve the issue of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine in a manner that respects the free will of the individuals involved and aligns with international law and humanitarian principles."
In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, Zelenskyy stated, "We recently sent two North Korean soldiers to the Republic of Korea." He added, "It is not easy to capture them; one of them attempted to take his own life when he realized he was being captured, and he was shocked that fate did not allow him to die."
Zelenskyy continued to criticize North Korea, saying, "This is how they raise people in North Korea, taking away their freedom and right to choose." He questioned, "Why should North Koreans sacrifice their lives in a war with Ukraine? Should we give such forces more time to learn how to wage war?"
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has consistently maintained the position that the issue of North Korean soldiers should be resolved in a manner that respects the free will of the individuals involved and aligns with international law and humanitarian principles. The ministry added that it has engaged in necessary communication and consultations with relevant countries and organizations, including Ukraine.
However, the ministry noted that it could not confirm details regarding the handling of the individuals, including timing, routes, or specific agreements between the two countries. While the government refrained from providing specific confirmations, it did not deny Zelenskyy's statement.
Given Zelenskyy's announcement of their transfer to South Korea, it appears that the two North Korean soldiers have already arrived in the country. However, details regarding their handling and protection procedures have not been disclosed.
The two North Korean soldiers were reportedly captured by Ukrainian forces in January 2026 in the Kursk region of Russia. Their existence became known when Zelenskyy revealed their capture on social media. They have since expressed their intention to defect to South Korea through handwritten letters sent to North Korean defector organizations.
The South Korean government has indicated its willingness to accept the North Korean soldiers, as they have expressed their desire to defect through media interviews and defector organizations.
President Yoon Suk Yeol discussed the issue of North Korean soldiers during his first summit with Zelenskyy on July 8 at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
At that time, Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong explained, "The two leaders agreed to resolve the issue of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine in a manner that respects the free will of the individuals involved and aligns with international law and humanitarian principles."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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