- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Ukraine’s readiness to return captured North Korean soldiers to Kim Jong Un in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia.
- At least two North Korean soldiers were confirmed to have been captured in Russia's Kursk region, with estimates suggesting 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces.
- The two captured soldiers expressed differing desires – one wished to return to North Korea, while the other considered staying in Ukraine.
- South Korean intelligence reports indicate around 300 North Korean soldiers killed and 2,700 injured, attributed to their lack of modern warfare experience and Russia's battlefield tactics.
- The deployment highlights growing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea, potentially involving Russian technical support for North Korea's nuclear programs in exchange for manpower.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday, Jan. 12, that Kyiv is prepared to return captured North Korean soldiers to their leader, Kim Jong Un, in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia.
The announcement marks the first time Ukraine has confirmed that it has captured North Korean soldiers alive since their involvement in the conflict last autumn.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region, a region currently partially occupied by Ukrainian troops following a lightning incursion in early August. Ukrainian and Western assessments suggest approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk to bolster Russian forces in the area. (Related: North Korean troops join Russian assaults in Kursk, Ukraine claims.)
Zelensky, in a social media post, emphasized that more captures are likely as the war progresses.
"In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be more. It's only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others," he said.
The Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, and spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Zelensky’s offer on Monday, Jan. 13, stating, “We do not know what is true there, who offered what to whom.”
The capture of North Korean soldiers sheds light on Pyongyang's deepening military collaboration with Moscow, which has raised alarms among Western nations. Experts suggest that North Korea’s involvement may be part of a broader exchange, with Russia providing technical assistance for North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs in return for manpower in its grinding conflict against Ukraine.
However, the deployment of North Korean troops has come at a steep cost. South Korean lawmakers briefed by their country’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported on Monday that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 2,700 injured in combat. The high casualty rate has been attributed to their lack of understanding of modern warfare and the way Russia has utilized them on the battlefield.
"Poor understanding of modern warfare tactics, along with the way they are being utilized by Russia, has contributed to the high casualty rates," said South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, citing the NIS briefing.
The agency also revealed that North Korean authorities have instructed soldiers to commit suicide by detonating explosives rather than face capture, likely out of fear of reprisals against their families back home.
Ukraine's North Korean captives to be used as bargaining chips for the return of prisoners of war
Zelensky shared a video on social media showing the interrogation of the two captured soldiers, one lying on a bed with bandaged hands and the other sitting with a bandage on his jaw. Through an interpreter, one soldier claimed he was unaware he was fighting against Ukraine, believing he was on a training exercise. He expressed a willingness to return to North Korea if ordered but also indicated he would consider staying in Ukraine if given the opportunity.
"One of them expressed a desire to stay in Ukraine, the other to return to Korea," Zelensky said in a televised statement. He added that Ukraine would offer alternatives to those who do not wish to return home, particularly those willing to "bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war."
The soldiers' capture provides a rare window into the experiences of North Korean troops, who are often described as poorly trained and ill-prepared for modern combat.
"There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea," Zelensky said, signaling that the war's ripple effects extend far beyond Europe's borders.
Watch this clip of Ukrainian prisoners captured by Russia in Kursk.
This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
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