Ukrainian President Reports Capture of Two North Korean Soldiers in Kursk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed the capture of two North Korean soldiers in the Russian region of Kursk. In a statement shared on social media, Zelensky revealed that the captured individuals, despite sustaining injuries, have survived and have been transported to Kyiv for interrogation by Ukrainian intelligence services. He emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that the press would also have access to these prisoners to shed light on the situation.

The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) corroborated Zelensky's claims. According to reports from South Korea's Yonhap news agency, one of the captured soldiers claimed during interrogation that he was unaware he was being sent to a war zone, believing instead that he was participating in a training mission. The soldier reportedly indicated that North Korean forces fighting on the Russian side have suffered significant casualties.

The NIS has been closely collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence since North Korea began deploying soldiers to Russia. This incident marks not the first instance of Zelensky reporting the capture of North Korean soldiers, but previous claims indicated that those soldiers did not survive their injuries.

Estimates suggest that North Korea has dispatched approximately 12,000 troops to Russia. Moscow is reportedly bolstering its forces in Kursk with these North Korean soldiers as part of efforts to repel Ukrainian troops from Russian territory. Both Ukraine and the United States have assessed that North Korean troops are experiencing heavy losses in this conflict.

In his social media posts, Zelensky included images purportedly showing the captured soldiers, although the authenticity of these claims has not been independently verified. He noted the challenges in capturing North Korean soldiers, stating that both the Russian and North Korean military forces tend to execute wounded North Koreans rather than allowing them to be taken prisoner.

Additionally, a Russian military document was presented, suggesting that one of the North Koreans was registered as being born in the Russian Republic of Tuva in Siberia. Zelensky commented that while Russia may issue such documents to North Korean soldiers, they do little to disguise the reality of the situation.

According to international humanitarian law, prisoners of war should not be publicly displayed, although reporting on their status is permitted. The Red Cross advises caution to avoid identifying these individuals.