Ukraine transfers two North Korean POWs to South Korea
Ukraine transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. South Korean officials later described their arrival after transit through a third country, while exact details remain undisclosed.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
What happened
Zelenskyy said Ukraine sent two captured North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. [2][3]
References for this detail (2)
- Zelenskyy says Ukraine sent two North Korean POWs to South Korea - Dominican Republic Post – Caribbean News, Business, Travel & Culturedominicanrepublicpost.com · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 10:02 AM UTC
- Ukraine sent two North Korean soldiers to South Koreaalbawaba.net · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 9:32 AM UTC
The soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025, according to the reports. [2][3]
References for this detail (2)
- Zelenskyy says Ukraine sent two North Korean POWs to South Korea - Dominican Republic Post – Caribbean News, Business, Travel & Culturedominicanrepublicpost.com · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 10:02 AM UTC
- Ukraine sent two North Korean soldiers to South Koreaalbawaba.net · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 9:32 AM UTC
South Korean lawmaker Yu Yong-weon said the soldiers left Ukraine through a third country and arrived in South Korea several days later, although their exact location was not disclosed. [3]
References for this detail (1)
- Ukraine sent two North Korean soldiers to South Koreaalbawaba.net · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 9:32 AM UTC
South Korean officials said the status of North Korean POWs should be resolved under international law and humanitarian principles, while respecting the individuals’ free will. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Zelenskyy says Ukraine sent two North Korean POWs to South Korea - Dominican Republic Post – Caribbean News, Business, Travel & Culturedominicanrepublicpost.com · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 10:02 AM UTC
Context from the sources
The reports describe the two men as the first North Korean soldiers captured alive since Pyongyang deployed troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2024. [2][3]
Ukrainian and South Korean estimates cited in the reports put North Korea’s deployment in support of Russia at about 14,000 to 15,000 personnel since 2024. [2][3]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Korean gov't effectively confirms repatriation of North Korean POWs from Ukrainekoreatimes.co.kr
- [3] Ukraine sent two North Korean soldiers to South Koreaalbawaba.netReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3
- [2] Zelenskyy says Ukraine sent two North Korean POWs to South Korea - Dominican Republic Post – Caribbean News, Business, Travel & Culturedominicanrepublicpost.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 4
What this could mean for you
The soldiers’ identities, location and family circumstances may remain tightly protected.
South Korean and Ukrainian authorities may limit disclosure because the reports cite safety concerns for the soldiers and their families.
Reported basis: [3][2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Authorities continue treating the case as a security and humanitarian matter.
Possible time frame: weeks, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
Still unclear
The sources do not establish the precise transfer date, route or current location of the soldiers.
The sources do not establish whether North Korea has formally responded to the transfer.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
A North Korean sniper and reconnaissance officer, left, and a rifleman, captured by Ukrainian forces, receive medical treatment at an undisclosed location in Kyiv, Ukraine.…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address to the United Nations General Assembly…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
ALBAWABA - Ukraine transferred two North Korean prisoners-of-war (POWs) to South Korea, according to a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his UNGA speech.…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.