Ukraine hands over two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul

Ukraine has transferred custody of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy disclosed during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

The announcement represents a notable shift in how Kyiv is managing prisoners captured from North Korean military personnel fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war. The move underscores growing cooperation between Ukraine and South Korea on matters related to North Korean involvement in the conflict.

The transfer follows mounting evidence of North Korean troops being deployed to support Russian operations in Ukraine. Seoul has expressed particular concern over Pyongyang's military engagement in the war, viewing it as a destabilizing development in regional security dynamics.

The handover of the two soldiers to South Korean custody may facilitate intelligence gathering and interrogation efforts, potentially providing Seoul with firsthand accounts of North Korean military capabilities and deployment strategies. It also signals deepening coordination between Kyiv and Seoul in addressing the broader implications of North Korean involvement in the European conflict.

The development comes as Ukraine continues to intensify diplomatic efforts to isolate Russia internationally and build support for its defence against Russian aggression.