Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed exchanging captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.
This offer follows the recent capture of two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first instance of such a capture since North Korean forces were deployed to assist Russia last year.
It is estimated that around 11,000 North Korean troops have been sent to fight alongside Russian forces, with reports of significant casualties due to their lack of modern warfare training.
South Korean intelligence has revealed that North Korean authorities have instructed their soldiers to commit suicide rather than be captured, with memos found on the bodies of killed soldiers emphasizing this directive.
Despite this, Zelenskyy has indicated that some captured soldiers may be allowed to remain in Ukraine if they choose, particularly those willing to help spread awareness about the war in the Korean language. This gesture may offer an alternative for those who no longer wish to return to North Korea.
