Ukraine Sends Two North Korean POWs to South Korea

Kyiv:Ukraine has transferred two North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukrainian forces, to South Korea, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His announcement was effectively confirmed by South Korean officials. According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korean officials acknowledged consultations with Kyiv regarding the matter without denying Zelenskyy's remarks. The Ukrainian presidential office later confirmed that the transfer was facilitated through direct dialogue with Seoul. The soldiers, captured in January 2025 in Russia's Kursk region, were reportedly part of North Korean troops supporting Russia's military efforts against Ukraine. They expressed their wish to move to South Korea through a North Korean defector group and interviews. South Korea's foreign ministry refrained from detailing the transfer but emphasized respect for the soldiers' free will and adherence to international law and humanitarian principles. Officials stressed the sensitivity of the situation, citing the safety of the soldiers and their families. In July, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Zelenskyy agreed to treat the captured soldiers on humanitarian grounds while respecting their wishes. Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the People Power Party claimed the soldiers entered South Korea via a third country and are likely under the National Intelligence Service's protection.