Zelensky Offers to Exchange Captured N.Korean Soldiers for Ukrainians in Russia

Ukraine's president discusses the fate of two North Korean prisoners and their potential role in spreading awareness about the war.
  • Defensemirror.com bureau
  • 10:28 AM, January 14, 2025
  • 1158
Zelensky Offers to Exchange Captured N.Korean Soldiers for Ukrainians in Russia
Captured North Korean soldiers: a 20-year-old infantryman (L) and a 26-year-old sniper (R) @via Telegram

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed exchanging two captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia.

The two men, captured during fighting in the Kursk region, were recently featured in a video shared on Zelensky's Telegram channel, where he outlined their uncertain future and potential options.

The two injured soldiers are currently receiving medical care in Kyiv, according to Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). In the video, Zelensky stated that those who do not wish to return to North Korea could instead work to "bring peace closer by spreading the truth in Korea about this war."

The first soldier, identified as a rifleman since 2021, claimed he was unaware of the war's nature, believing he was undergoing training. He recounted hiding in a dugout for two days after witnessing his comrades' deaths during an offensive. The second soldier, a scout sniper since 2016, sustained injuries, including a jaw wound that required him to communicate in writing during questioning.

Both prisoners only speak Korean, necessitating the involvement of South Korea's National Intelligence Service for interrogation. One of the soldiers reportedly carried a Russian military ID card falsely claiming he was from Tuva, a Russian republic bordering Mongolia. Ukrainian intelligence alleged that such documents were issued to obscure the soldiers' North Korean origin.

Pyongyang has sent an estimated 11,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, with reports suggesting 300 have been killed and 2,700 wounded. North Korea's military reportedly suffers from limited understanding of modern warfare and inadequate training to counter long-range drone operations.

Captured soldiers have stated that North Korean troops are ordered to commit suicide rather than face capture, an instruction corroborated by South Korean intelligence and U.S. officials. John Kirby, a White House National Security Council spokesperson, confirmed in December that some North Korean soldiers had taken their own lives, fearing repercussions for their families.

Zelensky criticized Russia's reliance on North Korean forces, emphasizing that the situation highlights Moscow's military challenges. "No one in the world should have any doubts that the Russian army depends on military assistance from the DPRK," he said. He also noted that more North Korean troops are likely to be captured as the conflict continues.

Russia has not denied the use of North Korean forces. President Vladimir Putin has defended their deployment, calling it a "sovereign decision."

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