Zelenskyy Proposes Exchange of North Korean Soldiers for Ukrainian POWs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his willingness to transfer captured North Korean soldiers back to North Korea as part of an exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia. This statement came shortly after Ukraine revealed the capture of two North Korean soldiers, allegedly wounded while engaged in combat in the Kursk region of Russia.

On January 9, Ukrainian forces apprehended these soldiers, but initial reports did not confirm their nationality. The South Korean National Intelligence Service later verified their identities, asserting that they were indeed North Korean. In a social media post, Zelenskyy expressed hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could facilitate the return of Ukrainian fighters in exchange for his soldiers.

Zelenskyy indicated that more North Korean soldiers could be taken prisoner in the future and stated that options would be available for those who do not wish to return. He mentioned that those interested in promoting peace by sharing the realities of the conflict in their native language would be given opportunities to do so.

Ukraine, along with its allies, has accused North Korea of sending over 10,000 troops to bolster Russian military efforts. However, both Russia and North Korea have not acknowledged the presence of North Korean soldiers in the conflict against Ukraine. The cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has intensified since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Zelenskyy stressed that it should be clear to the world that the Russian military relies on support from North Korea. He posted a video showing the interrogation of the two North Korean captives, in which one soldier claimed he was unaware that he would be fighting in a war and believed he was there for training.

According to South Korea's intelligence assessment, one of the captured soldiers had received military training from Russian forces prior to being deployed to the front lines. This soldier expressed a desire to return to North Korea, while the other indicated a willingness to comply with orders but would prefer to stay in Ukraine if given the chance.

The intelligence service in South Korea also mentioned that North Korean forces have suffered considerable casualties in the conflict, with estimates indicating nearly 3,000 soldiers either killed or injured while fighting on behalf of Russia. Some reports suggest that North Korea is preparing for further troop deployments to Ukraine due to these losses.

On the battlefield, Russian forces have recently claimed victories, including the capture of two villages in eastern Ukraine after months of fighting. These developments reflect the ongoing and complex nature of the conflict as both sides continue to navigate military strategies and diplomatic negotiations.