Zelensky ‘ready’ to exchange North Korean soldiers for Ukrainians captive in Russia

Zelensky also said there may be other options available to North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return home

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome, Italy on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE / Paolo Giandotti / Quirinal Palace Press Office handout

Published: 3:10am, 13 Jan 2025Updated: 4:07am, 13 Jan 2025

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday Kyiv is ready to hand over North Korean soldiers to their leader Kim Jong-un if he can organise their exchange for Ukrainians held captive in Russia.

“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,” Zelensky said on the social media.

Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine had captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, the first time Ukraine has announced the capture of North Korean soldiers alive since their entry into the war last autumn.

Ukrainian and Western assessments say that some 11,000 troops from Russia’s ally North Korea have been deployed in the Kursk region to support Moscow’s forces. Russia has neither confirmed nor denied their presence.

Zelensky has said Russian and North Korean forces had suffered heavy losses.

“Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong-un’s soldiers to him if he can organise their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia,” Zelensky said.