Zelenskyy seeks to exchange North Korean soldiers for Ukrainians

Soo-Hyang Choi, Bloomberg News on Jan 12, 2025

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Ukraine is ready to return captured North Korean soldiers if leader Kim Jong Un can facilitate an exchange for Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukraine has said it captured two North Koreans fighting for Russia in the Kursk region. Zelenskyy said this is likely just the beginning, as Ukrainian forces are expected to capture more over time.

“Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Un’s soldiers to him if he can organize their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia,” the Ukrainian president said in a post on X.

“For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available,” he added. “In particular, those who express a desire to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in Korean will be given that opportunity.”

Zelenskyy posted a video that showed one of the alleged North Korean soldiers expressing a desire to stay in Ukraine. The soldier also asked if Ukraine would send him back to North Korea, and when asked if he wanted to return home, he said he would do as he’s told.

Zelenskyy said last week that around 4,000 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured in the Kursk region that borders Ukraine. The estimates haven’t been verified. In mid-December, the U.S. said North Korea had “several hundred” casualties in clashes with Ukrainian troops, out of possibly 12,000 troops sent.