Ukraine sent two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, Zelenskyy says
Zelensky said the transfer followed a plea by the soldiers to defect, and Ukraine says North Korea has sent about 14,000 to 15,000 troops to Russia.
- On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine recently transferred two North Korean POWs to South Korea captured during its incursion into Russia's Kursk region.
- The two North Korean soldiers were apprehended in early 2025, marking the first such troops captured alive since North Korea joined the Russia-Ukraine war in 2024.
- Born in 1999 and 2005, the prisoners expressed desire to defect to South Korea; one attempted suicide upon capture, and Zelenskiy noted he "was shocked that fate did not let him die."
- North Korea has sent around 14,000 soldiers to support Russia since 2024, according to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates, with most deployed in Kursk and supplies sent to Moscow.
- Zelenskiy criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong, stating he "uses them like currency" to gain concessions, questioning why Koreans should die in the Russia-Ukraine war.
137 Articles
137 Articles
Dnevni list Danas
n1info.rsSouth Korean President Lee Jae-myung today accused Ukraine of violating a confidentiality agreement by disclosing that two North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukrainian forces had been transferred to South Korea.
Zelensky broke confidentiality with North Korea POWs disclosure: South's president
The remarks by President Lee Jae Myung came after Zelensky told the United Nations that Ukraine had sent two North Korean soldiers to the South, adding they were "not easy to capture alive". The revelation prompted South Korea's political opposition to criticise the Lee administration for allowing a foreign leader to inform them of the prisoners' arrivals. "I do not know why the Ukrainian side broke the agreement and made the matter public, but …
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky violated a confidentiality agreement when he revealed that Ukraine had sent prisoners of war from North Korea to South Korea, the South Korean president said on Thursday.
In New York, Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj reports to the world community of two North Korean soldiers who had been handed over to South Korea. Seoul would have preferred it not to be told about it. Nevertheless, the arrival of the men is confirmed shortly afterwards.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 34% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
