Zelenskyy Says "Two North Korean POWs Sent to South Korea"… Seoul Virtually Confirms

It has been revealed that two North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia have arrived in South Korea.

The revelation was first made public by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In an address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine recently sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea.

President Zelenskyy recounted that capturing them was not easy, noting that one attempted to take his own life upon realizing he was about to be taken prisoner and was shocked that fate did not allow him to die.

He then raised his voice against North Korea, saying that this is how people are raised in North Korea.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Ukrainian President: "Why should North Koreans sacrifice their lives in a war against Ukraine? Kim Jong-un is using them like currency, getting something in return."]

He also remarked to the effect that North Korea is receiving missile and drone technology from Russia in exchange for troop deployments.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Ukrainian President: "Nations across Asia have likely already noticed North Korea's improved ballistic missiles and significantly advanced drone capabilities."] 

Following Zelenskyy's address, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has maintained the position that the matter should be resolved in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles while respecting the free will of the individuals involved, and has conducted necessary communication and consultations with Ukraine and other parties.

However, the ministry added that it cannot confirm details such as when or how they entered the country, citing the sensitive nature of the matter concerning the personal safety of the individuals and their families.

This effectively acknowledged that the two North Korean prisoners of war have arrived in South Korea.

The two North Korean POWs were reportedly captured in January last year in the Kursk region of Russia.

Their existence was also previously disclosed by President Zelenskyy via social media.

They had expressed their desire to defect to South Korea through handwritten letters sent to North Korean defector groups in South Korea and media interviews, and the South Korean government has continued consultations with the Ukrainian government over the matter.

Reported by Jeong Yu-mi | Video by Jeong Yong-hee | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News 
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.