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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a striking offer on Sunday, declaring his willingness to hand over North Korean soldiers who had been captured during the conflict, provided that Ukraine receives the return of its own prisoners of war held by Russia.
This proposal adds a layer of complexity to the already intricate international dynamics, as Zelensky seeks to secure the freedom of his soldiers through a potentially high-stakes exchange involving two nations with their own complicated histories.
Zelensky’s proposition followed closely on the heels of an announcement from Ukraine, which revealed that it had captured two North Korean soldiers who were wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region.
However, the Ukrainian government refrained from providing concrete proof of the soldiers’ nationality, leaving the details of the claim shrouded in uncertainty. The offer to exchange these soldiers reflects the high-stakes negotiations Ukraine is willing to entertain in its quest to secure the release of its own captured personnel.
Supporting Ukraine’s account, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service corroborated the claim on Sunday, telling AFP that it had “confirmed” the capture of two North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian forces on January 9 in the Kursk region.
This endorsement from an authoritative intelligence body reinforces the validity of Ukraine’s report, providing a layer of international verification that bolsters the broader diplomatic context of the situation.
“Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Un’s soldiers to him if he can organize their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia,” Zelensky wrote on X.
There would “undoubtedly be more” North Korean soldiers captured by Kyiv, he added.
For “those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available”, said Zelensky.
North Koreans who wanted “to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in Korean will be given that opportunity”.
Read also: Zelensky Says He Wants War To End By Diplomatic Means In 2025
Moscow and Pyongyang have both refrained from acknowledging the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the fighting against Ukrainian forces, with neither government offering any confirmation.
This silence has sparked speculation and confusion, as the question of North Korea’s role in the conflict continues to linger without clear answers from the parties directly involved.
The two countries have boosted their military cooperation since Russia launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky said that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot manage without military support from Pyongyang”.
The Ukrainian president posted a video of an interrogation of the two North Korean prisoners of war, one of whom is lying in a bunk bed and the other is sitting up in bed with a bandage round his jaw.
