Zelenskyy Offers to Exchange Captured North Korean POWs for Ukrainian Soldiers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is willing to transfer North Korean prisoners of war to leader Kim Jong Un if he arranges an exchange for Ukrainian soldiers. Zelenskyy shared this statement on X on January 12.

“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,” Zelenskyy wrote.

Zelenskyy emphasized that alternative options could be arranged for North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return to their country.

“For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available. 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,” the President added.

Previously, on January 9, Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces had captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. Additionally, the President revealed that North Korea has already lost 4,000 troops, killed and wounded, in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.