Zelensky: "Two North Korean POWs Sent to South Korea"... Government Effectively Confirms

Revealed During United Nations General Assembly Speech

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on the 23rd (local time) that two North Korean soldiers, who had been captured by Ukrainian forces, were recently sent to Korea. The Korean government, while not denying their arrival, effectively confirmed this fact.

President Jaemyung Lee and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are shaking hands ahead of a summit at a hotel in Ankara, Turkey, on the 8th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Zelenskyy stated, "Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea."

He mentioned, "Capturing them was not easy," adding, "One of them attempted to take his own life upon realizing he would be captured, and was shocked that fate did not let him die."

He continued, "This is how people are raised in North Korea," criticizing that "their freedom and right to choose are taken away."

He also questioned, "Why should North Koreans have to sacrifice their lives in the war against Ukraine, and should we give such forces more time to learn how to wage war?"

President Zelenskyy emphasized, "Kim Jong Un is using them as currency and gaining something in return," adding, "Countries across Asia must have already noticed North Korea's enhanced ballistic missile and significantly advanced drone capabilities."

He criticized further, saying, "You may have seen scenes broadcast from Pyongyang honoring their war dead. This is also insanity."

He went on to say, "The North Korean leader sent his troops to Russia to support the Russian military's weak points, and as a result, the North Korean army also suffered massive losses."

He raised his voice, stating, "Because we failed to stop it in time, failed to end it in time, and because Russia was not punished in time, this war continues to spread, disseminating evil as it goes."

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on this day regarding the issue of North Korean prisoners of war, "We have consistently maintained the position that this issue should be resolved in a manner that respects the voluntary wishes of the individuals concerned and aligns with international law and humanitarian principles." The ministry added, "In line with this stance, we have been communicating and coordinating with relevant countries and organizations, including Ukraine, as necessary."

The ministry continued, "It is difficult to confirm matters such as how or when the individuals were processed or details of bilateral consultations." Nonetheless, they did not deny President Zelenskyy's remarks.

The two North Korean prisoners of war had previously expressed their intention to defect to Korea through handwritten letters delivered to defector organizations in Korea.

The Korean government maintains its position that, since these North Korean prisoners of war, who are considered Korean nationals under the Constitution, have stated their intention to defect via media interviews and through defector organizations, it will accept them; to that end, discussions have continued with the Ukrainian government.

On July 8, President Jaemyung Lee held his first summit meeting with President Zelenskyy in Ankara, Turkey, during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, where they discussed the issue of North Korean prisoners of war.

At the time, Kang Yoojung, Senior Spokesperson for the Presidential Office, explained, "The two leaders agreed that the issue of North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine should be resolved in a way that respects the voluntary wishes of the parties and in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles."

Earlier, in March, the two countries also agreed during a Korea–Ukraine foreign ministers' meeting to cooperate in resolving the issue of North Korean prisoners of war in a way that aligns with international law and humanitarian principles.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.