NIS: "Confidential Understanding in Ukraine-North Korea POW Talks... No Promises of Support for Repatriation"

Closed-Door National Assembly Intelligence Committee Briefing
Zelensky's Disclosure of Repatriation Believed Aimed at Fostering Korean Public Support for Arms Aid
No Signs of Health Problems for Kim Jong Un

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported on the 30th regarding the North Korean military prisoner repatriated from Ukraine, stating, "From the outset of discussions on the POW's repatriation, there was a shared understanding between Korea and Ukraine that the matter should remain confidential, and related deliberations were conducted accordingly."

The NIS provided an update on recent issues during a closed-door meeting of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee held that day. Yoo Youngha, floor leader for the People Power Party on the committee, introduced the NIS report related to the repatriation of the North Korean POW and stated, "I am not aware of any undisclosed consultations or agreements directly between the leaders of the two countries," adding, "There was a confidential agreement communicated between diplomatic officials and embassies during their exchanges."

He further explained, "From the early stages of negotiation, the Ukrainian side proactively requested confidentiality from our side, in order to preemptively manage concerns about potential negative impacts on future Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges or prisoner swaps involving third countries." Yoo continued, conveying the NIS account, "Our government, while respecting Ukraine's position, has maintained a strict policy of security, weighing humanitarian principles and keeping in mind the safety of the individual involved and their family members remaining in North Korea."

As for Ukraine disclosing the repatriation of the POW, the South Korean government made an official request for an explanation or apology. The NIS reported, however, that no further apology or expression of regret—either official or unofficial—had been offered by the Ukrainian side in response.

Regarding the repatriation, it was reported that there were neither conditions nor promises of support made between the two countries. Yoo stated, "The Director of the NIS confirmed that Ukraine did not set any conditions for repatriation, nor did our government provide any support relating to this matter."

Yoon Geonyoung of the Democratic Party of Korea (right) and Yoo Youngha of the People Power Party, the floor leaders of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, are briefing after concluding the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee at the National Assembly on the 30th. 2026.09.30 Photo by Yoon Dongju

On the background of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's unilateral public disclosure of the prisoner repatriation, the NIS speculated, "The Ukrainian government likely expected that such a move would generate public opinion within Korea favorable to providing military and other forms of support to Ukraine."

Regarding the situation of the POW who was repatriated to Korea, Yoon Gunyoung, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea on the Intelligence Committee, stated, "There are no significant health concerns," and added, "The individual's free will to come to Korea was confirmed several times." With regard to the timing of the entry into Korea, he noted it was in "mid-September."

With respect to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's health, the NIS reported, according to Yoon, "Although he is extremely obese at over 140 kg and is considered high risk for cardiovascular diseases, he shows no abnormal signs of health. For example, he has been observed performing actions such as climbing stairs during a destroyer inspection without difficulty, and is closely monitored by dedicated medical staff." On the topic of summits with U.S. President Donald Trump, the NIS reported, "Kim Jong Un continues to assert that North Korea is a nuclear-armed state and maintains that dialogue and confrontation cannot coexist, calling for a definite change in U.S. policy." However, it was further noted that "he appears to be refraining from direct criticism of President Trump, seemingly to avoid derailing the negotiations."

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