Zelenskyy's Offer To Kim Jong Un: Free Ukraine's Captives From Russia In Exchange For North Korean Soldiers

In a surprising diplomatic proposition, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Kyiv’s readiness to exchange captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian troops held in Russian captivity.

Speaking on the social media platform X, Zelenskyy stated, “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.”

The announcement came after Ukraine claimed to have captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first publicly confirmed instance of North Korean troops being apprehended since their deployment in support of Moscow’s forces last autumn. 

According to Ukrainian and Western intelligence assessments, approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in the region, though Russia has not officially acknowledged their presence.

A video shared by Zelenskyy showcased the two captured individuals: one lying on a bed with bandaged hands and the other sitting with a bandage on his jaw. 

Zelenskyy revealed that one soldier expressed a desire to remain in Ukraine, while the other wished to return to North Korea.

“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,” Zelenskyy added.

For those unwilling to return home, Zelenskyy hinted at alternative options, including supporting peace efforts by sharing the truth about the war in the Korean language.

However specifics about potential negotiations remain unclear.