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Diplomatic tension over North Korean POW repatriation

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2026-09-26 04:33 UTC → 2026-09-26 07:15 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. The soldiers were reportedly captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 while fighting on behalf of Russia. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung criticized the public disclosure, describing it as “very regrettable” and “irresponsible.” He stated that the repatriation was a sensitive matter involving national security and diplomacy that had been subject to a confidentiality agreement intended to protect the safety of the prisoners and their families. Ukraine has denied that such a pact was in place, with adviser Dmytro Lytvyn stating, “There was no such agreement, this is not true.” During his UN address, Zelenskyy highlighted the extreme indoctrination of these troops, noting that one prisoner attempted suicide upon realizing he would be captured. He observed that for such soldiers, death is preferred over capture, a sentiment aligned with rhetoric from Kim Jong Un regarding soldiers who commit suicide to avoid capture. Estimates regarding North Korean involvement vary. While South Korean intelligence suggests approximately 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded since their deployment, Ukrainian and South Korean estimates suggest between 14,000 and 15,000 personnel have been sent to Russia since 2024. These figures may include additional support staff, such as construction units and female personnel. In South Korea, the repatriation has sparked domestic political tension. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won criticized the government for a lack of transparency regarding the humanitarian transfer. Conversely, the Democratic Party defended the decision to keep the repatriation private as a measure to ensure the safety of defectors and minimize confrontation, accusing the ruling People Power Party of using national security as a political tool.

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