Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the local time yesterday that he recently sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea.

President Zelenskyy made the remarks during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, asking, "Why should North Koreans sacrifice their lives in a war with Ukraine?"

He added, "One of the North Korean prisoners attempted suicide after being captured and was shocked by the fact that fate did not let him die."

President Zelenskyy emphasized, "Kim Jong Un is using them like currency and getting something in return," adding, "Countries across Asia must have already noticed North Korea's improved ballistic missiles and greatly advanced drone capabilities."

The two North Korean POWs were captured alive by the Ukrainian military in January 2025.

They had previously expressed their intention to defect to South Korea through handwritten letters delivered to a North Korean defector organization in South Korea, but specific details regarding the handling of their custody had not been known until now.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)