Ukrainian President Zelenskiy is open to negotiating the exchange of North Korean soldiers for Ukrainians in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Sunday that Kyiv is prepared to return North Korean soldiers to their leader, Kim Jong Un, if he can facilitate an exchange for Ukrainians currently held in Russia.

Zelenskiy stated, “In addition to the initial captured soldiers from North Korea, we can expect more in the future. It is only a matter of time before our forces capture additional personnel,” via the social media platform X.

On Saturday, Zelenskiy revealed that Ukraine had taken two North Koreans captive in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first instance of Ukraine reporting the capture of North Korean soldiers alive since their involvement in the ongoing conflict began last autumn. Ukrainian and Western intelligence estimates suggest that approximately 11,000 troops from North Korea, a Russian ally, have been deployed in the Kursk area to assist Russian forces, although Russia has not confirmed their presence.

Zelenskiy noted that both Russian and North Korean forces have sustained significant losses. “Ukraine is willing to return Kim Jong Un’s soldiers if he can arrange for the exchange of our warriors who are being held in Russia,” he stated. He also shared a brief video depicting the interrogation of two individuals identified as North Korean soldiers, one of whom is lying on a bed with bandaged hands, while the other is seated with a bandage on his jaw.

A man, speaking through an interpreter, stated that he was unaware he was engaged in combat against Ukraine, believing instead that he was participating in a training exercise. He recounted taking refuge in a shelter during the offensive and being discovered a few days later. He indicated that he would comply if ordered to return to North Korea, but expressed a willingness to remain in Ukraine if the opportunity arose. Reuters was unable to authenticate the video.

Zelenskiy mentioned in a televised address that one soldier wished to remain in Ukraine while the other preferred to go back to Korea. He added that North Korean soldiers who do not want to return home might have alternative options, stating, “Those who wish to promote peace by sharing the truth about this war in the Korean language will be given that chance.” However, Zelenskiy did not provide further specifics.