Ukraine sent two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, Zelenskiy says

Key Points:

• Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, announced President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the UN General Assembly, marking the first capture of North Korean soldiers alive since their involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2024.
• The two North Korean soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk region in January 2023, and South Korean media reported they expressed a desire to defect, while human rights groups urged their repatriation to South Korea due to risks of punishment if returned to North Korea.
• South Korea confirmed it would accept all North Korean POWs who fought for Russia and opposes repatriating them to Russia or North Korea, but has not disclosed details about the timing or specifics of the transfer for security reasons.
• Zelenskiy condemned North Korea's deployment of approximately 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia's war effort, criticizing Kim Jong Un for using North Korean soldiers as "currency" in the conflict.
• North Korea has also supplied Russia with significant military aid, including artillery, ballistic missiles, and rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent sources.