Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his willingness to exchange two captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia.
“For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available,” Zelensky said on social media.
He added: “Those who express their desire to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in Korea will have that opportunity.”
The Ukrainian government reported Saturday that the two men were captured on January 9. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the prisoners are currently in kyiv receiving medical care. Due to their limited communication capabilities, South Korea's National Intelligence Service is assisting with interrogations.
Zelensky shared images of the soldiers on social media, showing both wounded men, along with a Russian military card issued in the Republic of Tuva, near Mongolia. The SBU revealed that one of the soldiers was carrying an identity card issued in autumn 2024 in the name of another person, while the second prisoner had no documents.
During interrogation, one soldier stated that his presence in Russia was for training, not combat. “It is noteworthy that the prisoner… emphasizes that he was supposed to receive training, not to fight in a war against Ukraine,” the SBU said.
The SBU also reported that the first soldier, born in 2005, had served as a rifleman in North Korea since 2021. The second, born in 1999, had been a scout sniper since 2016, but had to provide written answers due to a shoulder injury. the jaw.
Zelensky's office accused Russia of trying to hide the soldiers' origins by issuing false documentation. “The Russians are trying to hide the fact that these are North Korean soldiers by giving them documents claiming they are from Tuva or other territories under Moscow's control,” the statement said.
The Geneva Convention requires humane treatment of prisoners of war, including interrogation in a language they understand and protection from public exposure.
Reports emerged last year that North Korea sent troops to help Russia, and Ukraine and South Korea claimed that at least 10,000 North Korean forces were deployed. The White House noted that these units were facing heavy casualties. In December, South Korea's intelligence agency confirmed the death of the first North Korean soldier captured in the conflict.
Zelensky reiterated on Sunday: “There should be no doubt that the Russian military depends on military assistance from North Korea.”
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