Zelensky: "Two North Korean POWs Sent to South Korea"... Blue House: "Consultations Respecting Free Will"

Revealing the Transfer of North Korean POWs to South Korea During UN General Assembly Speech
Blue House: "Communicating with Relevant Countries Based on International Law and Humanitarian Principles"
Regarding Handling, Timing, and Route: "Sensi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has disclosed that he recently sent two North Korean prisoners of war, who had been captured by the Ukrainian military, to South Korea. Cheongwadae stated that while it would not confirm the specifics of how these individuals are being handled, the South Korean government has held consultations with Ukraine and other relevant countries on the matter, guided by the principle of respecting the prisoners' free will.

A Cheongwadae official said on the 24th, "The government has consistently maintained the position that the issue of North Korean POWs in Ukraine must be resolved in a manner that respects their free will and adheres to international law and humanitarian principles." The official continued, "Based on this position, we have conducted the necessary communication and consultations with Ukraine and other concerned countries and agencies."

On December 29, 2025, as President Lee Jae-myung commuted to Cheongwadae, the Blue House Era officially began again after 3 years and 7 months, with the phoenix flag hoisted at Cheongwadae in Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

However, the government refrained from providing details regarding the disposition of the POWs. The official said, "This is a sensitive matter related to the safety of the individuals and their families," and added, "Therefore, it is difficult to comment on the handling, timing, or route of specific individuals, or on the details of bilateral consultations between the two countries."

These two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia in January last year. It is reported that they later expressed their intention to travel to South Korea through organizations supporting North Korean defectors.

On the 23rd (local time), President Zelensky stated at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, "Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea." This statement was made while he was criticizing the expansion of North Korea-Russia military cooperation and highlighting the casualties suffered by North Korean forces in support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

President Zelensky noted that capturing North Korean POWs was not an easy task, and revealed that one of them, upon realizing he would become a prisoner, attempted to take his own life. Zelensky criticized North Korea for stripping individuals of personal freedom and choice, indoctrinating them to believe they must die on the battlefield. He also argued that North Korea is bolstering its military capabilities, including missiles and drones, in exchange for supplying troops to Russia.

President Lee Jae-myung and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are shaking hands ahead of a summit meeting at a hotel in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026 (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

The issue of North Korean POWs was also discussed during the summit between President Lee Jae-myung and President Zelensky in July, held alongside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Turkey. At the time, the two leaders agreed that the matter should be addressed while respecting the prisoners' intentions and in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. As the South Korean government has continued practical discussions with Ukraine since then, President Zelensky's public remarks are set to refocus attention on the handling of the North Korean POWs.

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