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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “Two North Korean prisoners of war have been sent to South Korea.”
President Zelensky disclosed this in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly held in New York, USA on the 23rd (local time).
“These people are not easy to capture alive,” he said. “One of them tried to kill himself when he realized he was going to be captured and was shocked that fate would not let him die.”
“This is how people are raised in North Korea,” he said, adding, “It takes away their freedom and right to choose.” He then asked, “Do you want to give these forces more time to learn how to wage war?”
The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 24th that it was difficult to confirm President Zelenskyy's comments.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "As this is a sensitive issue related to the personal safety of the parties involved and their families, please understand that it is difficult to confirm whether or not individual personnel will be treated as new recruits, the timing and route, and the details of specific discussions between the two countries."
He added, "Regarding the issue of North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine, we have maintained a consistent position that it should be resolved in a way that respects the free will of the parties and is consistent with international law and humanitarian principles."
Meanwhile, Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People's Power Party said in a phone call with the BBC, "I understand that they left Ukraine last weekend, passed through a third country, and arrived in Korea 3-4 days ago."
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It was reported that two North Korean prisoners of war were captured by Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region of Russia in January last year. Their existence became known when President Zelenskyy publicized their capture on social media.
At the time, President Zelensky said in Korean on his
The South Korean government is willing to accept these prisoners as they have expressed their intention to defect through media interviews and North Korean defector organizations, and has been in discussions with the Ukrainian government to this end.
President Lee Jae-myung had a summit meeting with President Zelenskyy at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit held in Turkye last July and discussed the issue of these prisoners.
At the time, Chief Blue House Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong said, "The two leaders agreed to resolve the issue of North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine in a way that respects the free will of the parties and is consistent with international law and humanitarian principles."
