Zelensky Offers North Korean POW Exchange for Ukrainian Captives

• Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia’s Kursk region.
• Zelensky offered to exchange them for Ukrainian POWs held by Russia.
• One captive seeks to stay in Ukraine; the other wants to return to North Korea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday his willingness to exchange captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia.

This comes after Ukraine revealed it had captured two wounded North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, although no proof of their nationality has yet been provided.

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South Korea’s National Intelligence Service supported Ukraine’s account, stating it had “confirmed” the capture of the North Korean soldiers on January 9.

Zelensky shared his proposal on X, offering to return the soldiers to North Korea if Kim Jong Un facilitates the release of Ukrainian captives held in Russia.

“For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available,” Zelensky added, suggesting opportunities for them to help “spread the truth about this war in Korean” and contribute to peace efforts.

Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has officially acknowledged the deployment of North Korean forces in the ongoing conflict

.

However, Zelensky claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin is relying heavily on military support from Pyongyang, as the two nations have strengthened their military cooperation since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky posted a video showing the interrogation of the two captured soldiers. One man, speaking through an interpreter, claimed he was unaware he would be fighting in a war, believing it to be training.

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When asked about their preferences, one soldier expressed a desire to return to North Korea, while the other indicated a willingness to live in Ukraine if given the opportunity.

The potential exchange, if accepted, could represent a unique diplomatic maneuver amid ongoing tensions in the region.

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