Ukraine is willing to send back captured North Korean soldiers if the country agrees to release Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The offer comes after two North Korean fighters were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast on January 11.
In exchange for their safe return, Ukraine wants Kim Jong Un to organize a prisoner swap for the soldiers held captive in Russia. However, for those who do not wish to be repatriated, Zelensky hinted that they may have an opportunity to stay in Ukraine and promote peace by sharing information about the war with their fellow Koreans.
The offer is part of a larger effort to bring some stability to the region, as over 12,000 North Korean soldiers are deployed in Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian officials estimate that these personnel have suffered significant casualties while fighting alongside Russian forces.
Ukrainian President Zelensky shared video footage of an interrogation with one of the captured soldiers, who expressed a desire to return to North Korea, while the other said he wanted to live in Ukraine. The footage highlights the difficult situation faced by these soldiers, as Russian and North Korean forces have been working to prevent evidence of Pyongyang’s involvement from emerging.
The capture of these two fighters is seen as a significant development, with White House officials reporting that some North Korean soldiers have taken their own lives rather than surrendering to Ukrainian troops due to fear for their families’ safety.
Source: https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-ready-to-return-north-korean-pows-to-kim-jong-un-or-find-other-ways-zelensky-says