Ukraine’s president is proposing a prisoner exchange involving North Korean troops that it has detained, in return for Ukrainians currently in Russian custody.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has directly contacted leader Kim Jong Un following the capture of two North Koreans in the Kursk region of Russia.
“Alongside the initial soldiers taken from North Korea, more are undoubtedly to come. It is merely a matter of time until our forces apprehend additional personnel,” he stated in a video shared on X.
Additionally, his video expressed an offer of support to authorities in California battling the ongoing wildfires.
This marks the first instance in which Ukraine has reported the apprehension of North Korean troops since their involvement in the nearly three-year-long conflict commenced last autumn.
Evaluations from Ukrainian and Western sources suggest that approximately 11,000 soldiers from Russia‘s ally North Korea have been dispatched to the Kursk area, assisting Moscow’s forces, although Russia has not confirmed nor denied their existence.
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un convened in Pyongyang to formalize a ‘military pact’ in June 2024. Pic: Kremlin Photo/AP
Mr. Zelenskyy mentioned that Russian and North Korean forces have experienced significant casualties.
“Ukraine is prepared to return Kim Jong Un’s soldiers to him, provided he can facilitate their exchange for our fighters who are detained in Russia,” Mr. Zelenskyy further stated.
He shared a brief clip depicting the questioning of the two individuals, identified as North Korean soldiers.
One of them is seen lying on a bed with his hands bandaged, while the other is seated with a bandage around his jaw.
Ukraine announced on Saturday that it had arrested two North Korean soldiers. Pic: Volodymyr Zelenskyy/X
One of the men remarked through an interpreter that he was unaware he was combatting Ukraine and had been instructed he was engaging in a training drill. He mentioned that he took refuge in a bunker during the assault and was located a few days later.
He stated that if commanded to return to North Korea, he would comply, but he was willing to remain in Ukraine if given the opportunity.
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Sky News has not been able to authenticate the video.
“One of the soldiers expressed a willingness to remain in Ukraine, while the other wished to return to Korea,” stated Mr. Zelenskyy, highlighting that for North Korean soldiers who prefer not to return home, there might be alternative options available.
