Ukraine transfers two North Korean POWs to South Korea, Zelensky confirms at UN

By willowt // 2026-09-24

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Ukraine sent two North Korean prisoners of war captured in Russia's Kursk region to South Korea, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at the UN General Assembly.
The soldiers, captured in January 2025, were the first North Korean troops apprehended alive since Pyongyang entered the war in 2024.
One soldier attempted suicide upon capture; both reportedly expressed interest in defecting to South Korea.
South Korea previously stated it would accept any North Korean POWs who fought for Russia and opposed repatriation to Russia or North Korea.
An estimated 14,000 to 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces, primarily in the Kursk region.

POW transfer signals shift in Russia-Ukraine war dynamics

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Sept. 23, 2026, that Ukraine had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, marking a significant development in the increasingly internationalized conflict. Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, Zelensky confirmed the transfer occurred recently, though he provided no operational details. The two soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025, becoming the first North Korean troops apprehended alive since Pyongyang committed an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 soldiers to support Moscow's war effort beginning in 2024.

Captured soldiers: "Not easy to capture alive"

The North Korean prisoners were taken during Ukraine's ongoing military operations in Kursk, where Russian and North Korean forces have jointly attempted to repel Ukrainian incursions. Zelensky described the difficulty of capturing North Korean troops alive, noting one soldier attempted suicide upon realizing capture was imminent. South Korean media reported both soldiers expressed a desire to defect to South Korea rather than return to North Korea or return to Russian custody. Human rights organizations had urged Ukraine to repatriate the soldiers to South Korea, citing risks of severe punishment if returned to Pyongyang.

Diplomatic coordination: Kyiv, Seoul and humanitarian commitments

South Korea's Foreign Ministry declined to confirm operational details of the transfer but acknowledged months of coordination with Ukraine on the matter. The ministry cited the need to protect the safety of the soldiers and their families. South Korea's Unification Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. The transfer followed a July 2026 summit in Ankara, Turkey, between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Zelensky, where both leaders agreed to resolve North Korean POW status in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles while respecting individual free will. That agreement built upon a March 2026 commitment between foreign ministers of both nations.

North Korea's role: Kim's soldiers as "currency"

Zelensky strongly criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his UN address, accusing him of using soldiers "like currency" in exchange for Russian military technology. Ukrainian and South Korean estimates indicate approximately 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed since 2024, with casualties reportedly reaching 2,000 killed by April 2025. Beyond personnel, North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems and multiple-launch rocket platforms. Western intelligence agencies worry Russia may transfer advanced military technology to North Korea in compensation, potentially accelerating Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Echoes of Cold War proxy dynamics

This prisoner transfer underscores the expanding global dimensions of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, now entering its third year. North Korea's direct military involvement represents the first time a major Asian power has deployed combat troops to a European war since the Korean War armistice in 1953. The situation mirrors Cold War-era proxy dynamics, where regional conflicts drew in global powers through military assistance and troop deployments. For South Korea, accepting North Korean defectors who fought for Russia carries significant domestic and diplomatic implications, potentially influencing inter-Korean relations and Pyongyang's calculus regarding future troop commitments.

Geopolitical implications of the transfer

The transfer of North Korean POWs to South Korea establishes a humanitarian framework for handling captured foreign fighters while sending a clear message to both Moscow and Pyongyang. Zelensky's public disclosure at the UN serves to highlight North Korea's deepening complicity in the war and pressure Western allies who have shown what he described as "zero response" to North Korean troop deployments. With approximately 15,000 North Korean soldiers still in Russia and casualties mounting, the status of any future prisoners remains uncertain. South Korea's willingness to accept defecting soldiers creates an incentive for further surrenders among North Korean troops who may prefer resettlement in Seoul over continued combat or return to Pyongyang. This development may accelerate diplomatic discussions among Ukraine, South Korea and their allies regarding how to address the broader challenge of foreign troops fighting in European soil. Sources for this article include: NYPost.com Aljazeera.com ABCNews.com