​Ukraine Sent Two North Korean P.O.W.s to South Korea, Zelensky Says

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Ukraine Transfers Two North Korean POWs to South Korea

   Ukraine has transferred two captured North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, a disclosure that has triggered a diplomatic dispute between Seoul and Kyiv. South Korean President Lee accused Ukraine of breaching a non-disclosure agreement and engaging in grandstanding for petty gain after the POWs arrived in South Korea several days ago. Meanwhile, a Zelenskyy adviser denied that any agreement existed with Seoul to keep the transfer secret. The public revelation deals a propaganda blow to North Korea as international scrutiny intensifies over troop deployments in the region.

   Why it matters

   The transfer brings direct involvement from North Korean soldiers in the European conflict into sharp diplomatic focus in East Asia. South Korea maintains a strict policy framework regarding defectors and captured personnel from the North, complicating bilateral intelligence handling. Disagreements over confidentiality threaten to strain relations between Kyiv and Seoul just as the operation sheds light on Pyongyang troop movements.

   What is confirmed

   • Ukraine sent two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.
   • South Korean President Lee accused Ukraine of breaching a non-disclosure agreement by revealing the transfer.
   • A Zelenskyy adviser denied that any agreement existed with Seoul to keep the transfer of the prisoners secret.
   • The two North Korean prisoners of war arrived in South Korea several days prior to the public announcement.

   What to watch next

   • Official statements from Seoul clarifying the nature of any confidentiality agreements with Kyiv.
   • Further diplomatic fallout or retaliatory measures between Ukraine and South Korea regarding intelligence sharing.
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. nytimes.com — ​Ukraine Sent Two North Korean P.O.W.s to South Korea, Zelensky Says
   2. Reuters — Ukraine sent two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, Zelenskiy says
   3. AP News — Zelenskyy says Ukraine sent 2 North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea
   4. 조선일보 — Zelenskyy Announces Repatriation of South Korean Nationals
   5. pravda.com.ua — Zelenskyy says Ukraine transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea
   6. Al Jazeera — Zelenskyy says Ukraine sent two North Korean POWs to South Korea
   7. Yahoo — Zelensky broke confidentiality with North Korea POWs disclosure: South's president
   8. The Korea Herald — 2 N. Korean POWs arrived in S. Korea 'several days ago': lawmaker
   9. koreatimes.co.kr — Lee says Ukraine breached non-disclosure agreement on 2 NK soldiers
   10. Українська правда — "Grandstanding for petty gain": South Korean president accuses Ukraine of breaching non-disclosure agreement
   11. South China Morning Post — Ukraine’s POW transfer reveal deals propaganda blow to North Korea
   12. Yonhap News Agency — (LEAD) Lee says Ukraine disclosed transfer of 2 N.K. soldiers in breach of non-disclosure agreement
   confidence 95%