[Anchor]

Two North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukrainian forces have arrived in South Korea. Their arrival comes one year and eight months after their capture, and they are reported to have entered the country three to four days ago. It was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who first disclosed this development.

Choi Jae-yeong reports as our top story.

[Reporter]

Early this morning (September 24) Korea Standard Time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise announcement during his address at the UN General Assembly that two North Korean POWs captured by Ukrainian troops had been sent to South Korea.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / President of Ukraine: Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukrainian forces to the Republic of Korea.]

He did so while criticizing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying he "is using North Korean troops like currency to gain rewards."

The South Korean government virtually acknowledged President Zelenskyy's remarks, stating, "We have maintained the necessary communication and consultations with the Ukrainian side."

It appears the two POWs arrived in South Korea only a few days ago.

A North Korean defector group that has been supporting the prisoners stated that just ten days ago, it sent North Korean food to their detention facility in Ukraine.

[Jang Se-yul / Head of Gyeoreol Unification Solidarity: We delivered hometown food on September 14. It was delivered to the prisoner-of-war camp, and we received confirmation from the guards that it was handed over to our prisoners.]

People Power Party Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon, who met the prisoners in person, also said, "I understand the Ukrainian government recently decided on a policy to send the prisoners without conditions," adding:

[Yu Yong-weon / People Power Party Lawmaker: I understand they departed Ukraine last weekend, traveled via a third country, and arrived in South Korea three to four days ago.]

The two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia in January of last year.

[North Korean POW (January 2025): They won't send me home, right? (Do you want to go home?) If they tell me to go, I'll go.]

While they were initially hesitant about defecting to South Korea,

[North Korean POW / Interview on February 25, 2025 (Source: Office of People Power Party Lawmaker Yu Yong-weon): I think I am starting to make up my mind. I think I need to think about it a little more.]

in October of last year, they expressed their desire to go to South Korea through a letter sent to the defector group.

Later, the issue of the North Korean prisoners was discussed during the first summit between President Lee Jae-myung and President Zelenskyy this past July. Now, one year and eight months after being captured on the battlefield, the two North Korean soldiers have set foot on South Korean soil.

Relevant authorities are currently keeping the two men in protective custody and ensuring their safety.

Video Coverage by Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Lee Seung-jin | Graphics by Park Cheon-woong