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Ukraine sends two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea

Ukraine sends two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea

Force in Play

Two soldiers captured in Kursk reach Seoul, but the transfer strains South Korea-Ukraine relations

September 30th, 2026: NIS says Zelenskyy went public to seek Seoul's support

Overview

Updated Oct 10

Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly on Sept 23 that Ukraine had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. Seoul says the disclosure broke a secrecy deal, and it has demanded an apology and recalled its ambassador from Kyiv.

The two soldiers, captured in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025, reached South Korea in mid-September. South Korea's intelligence service says Zelenskyy went public to build support in Seoul for sending weapons to Ukraine. The men are expected to enter the country's defector resettlement program.

Why it matters

The transfer sets a precedent for captured North Korean troops, and the fallout tests Seoul's ties with Kyiv.

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Key Indicators

2
North Korean soldiers transferred to South Korea
The first captured North Korean troops from the Ukraine war sent to Seoul.
January 2025
Month the soldiers were captured in Kursk
Ukraine announced the capture of the two soldiers on Jan 11, 2025.
1
Ambassador recalled from Ukraine
Seoul recalled its ambassador on Oct 8 after accusing Ukraine of breaching a non-disclosure agreement.

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People Involved

Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Announced the POW transfer at the UN General Assembly on Sept 23, 2026; Ukraine denied making a non-disclosure deal
 Lee Jae Myung
Lee Jae Myung
President of South Korea
Accused Ukraine of violating a non-disclosure agreement over the POW transfer; recalled ambassador on Oct 8
YY
Yu Yong-weon
People Power Party lawmaker
Told reporters the two soldiers reached South Korea several days before the announcement

Organizations Involved

South Korean presidential office
South Korean presidential office
Executive branch
Demanded an apology from Ukraine over the disclosure; recalled ambassador on Oct 8

Acknowledged consultations with Ukraine but declined to confirm the soldiers' arrival, citing safety for the men and their families.
The Kremlin / Russian Government
The Kremlin / Russian Government
Russian presidential administration
Says it has no information on the transfer

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia has no information on the POW transfer but that intelligence contacts between agencies continue.
National Intelligence Service (NIS)
National Intelligence Service (NIS)
Intelligence Agency
Told lawmakers Zelenskyy went public to seek Seoul's support for weapons aid

South Korea's intelligence agency, which briefed lawmakers on the POW transfer and Zelenskyy's motives.

Timeline

October 2024 September 2026

10 events Latest: September 30th, 2026 · 1 month ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. NIS says Zelenskyy went public to seek Seoul's support

    Latest Statement

    The National Intelligence Service told lawmakers that Zelenskyy likely revealed the transfer to build public support in South Korea for sending weapons and other aid to Ukraine.

  2. Seoul demands apology from Ukraine over disclosure

    Diplomacy

    South Korea expressed strong regret and demanded an official explanation and apology after Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer. It also called in Ukraine's chargé d'affaires Andrii Vieshkin.

  3. Lawmaker confirms arrival; Kremlin says it has no information

    Statement

    Rep. Yu Yong-weon says the two arrived days earlier. The Kremlin says it has no information on the transfer.

  4. Zelenskyy announces the transfer at the UN General Assembly

    Statement

    Zelenskyy tells the UN General Assembly that Ukraine recently sent two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.

  5. Two soldiers arrive in South Korea

    Transfer

    The two North Korean soldiers reach South Korea in mid-September, according to lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon, who said they arrived several days before the public announcement.

  6. Lee and Zelenskyy agree in Ankara on humanitarian handling

    Diplomacy

    At a NATO summit in Ankara, the two presidents agree to address the captured soldiers' situation on humanitarian grounds while respecting their wishes.

  7. Ukraine announces capture of two North Korean soldiers in Kursk

    Capture

    Zelenskyy announces the capture of two North Korean soldiers, the first taken alive since deployment. The soldiers were captured on Jan. 9 and taken to Kyiv for questioning.

  8. Seoul urges Kyiv not to repatriate the soldiers

    Diplomacy

    South Korea asks Ukraine not to send the men back to North Korea, offering resettlement instead.

  9. Soldiers express wish to go to South Korea

    Statement

    In media interviews, the two captured soldiers appear to express a desire to resettle in South Korea.

  10. North Korea deploys troops to Russia

    Deployment

    Kyiv and Western allies say North Korea sent thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces.

Scenarios

1

Seoul confirms the soldiers' arrival and starts defector resettlement

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: South Korean lawmakers including Rep. Yu Yong-weon

Yu has already stated publicly that the two men arrived. If the government follows with formal confirmation, the soldiers would enter South Korea's defector resettlement program, which provides housing, education, and financial support. Yu has called for priority on their rehabilitation.

2

North Korea condemns the transfer and demands the soldiers' return

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Pyongyang's state media, following its pattern on defections

North Korea has historically condemned soldiers and citizens who choose the South, often calling for their return and punishing families. State media could denounce the transfer as an abduction or a violation of sovereignty, though Pyongyang's reach over the two men is limited now that they are in Seoul.

3

Details stay secret and the government never confirms

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: No one predicting openly; the government has cited safety concerns

The presidential office has repeatedly declined to confirm the transfer, the timing, or the route, citing safety of the men and their families. If that policy holds, the arrival may remain an unconfirmed report from lawmakers and Ukrainian officials, with no official paperwork acknowledging the soldiers' status.

4

Seoul and Kyiv repair the rift over the disclosure

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: NIS analysis, diplomatic observers

The NIS says Zelenskyy went public to build support for weapons aid. If Ukraine offers an explanation Seoul accepts, the two sides could restore normal ties and South Korea could provide weapons or other aid to Kyiv.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

August 1953

Operation Big Switch, Korean War POW exchange (1953)

After the Korean War armistice, both sides repatriated prisoners of war. Tens of thousands were exchanged, and more than 22,000 prisoners of war declined repatriation, choosing to stay in the South rather than return to the North.

Then

Prisoners who refused repatriation were turned over to a neutral commission, and many resettled in South Korea.

Now

Set a precedent that prisoners of war could choose their destination rather than be forcibly returned.

Why this matters now

The current transfer echoes that precedent: the two soldiers expressed a wish for South Korea over repatriation to North Korea, and Seoul offered resettlement.

November 2017

Oh Chong-song's DMZ defection (2017)

A North Korean soldier drove a jeep to the heavily fortified border, was shot by his own side, and crawled across the demarcation line. South Korean troops retrieved him, and he survived after surgery.

Then

He recovered in a South Korean hospital and became a symbol of defection, later appearing in media interviews.

Now

Reinforced South Korea's policy of accepting North Koreans who choose to defect, regardless of their military status.

Why this matters now

The two POWs follow a similar path, choosing South Korea over return to the North, though through a third country, Ukraine, rather than directly across the border.

Sources

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ABC News The Korea Herald Reuters The Herald Business New York Post SBS News Korea Ukrainska Pravda Anadolu Agency Aju Press Asharq Al-Awsat Korea JoongAng Daily The Korea Times The Diplomat The Guardian ABC News