Updated Jan. 12, 2025, 11:08 p.m. ET.
Ukraine is prepared to swap captured North Korean troops for its soldiers being held prisoner by Russia, President Volodymr Zelenskyy said, releasing video of two Koreans who Ukraine said were captured in its war against Russia.
As many as 12,000 North Koreans have been sent to help Russia battle Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, according to the U.S. and South Korea although Russia and North Korea have not acknowledged their deployment.
Ukraine on Jan. 4 reported 3,800 casualties among the North Koreans. South Korea’s spy agency on Monday put the figure at 300 dead and 2,700 wounded, the Yonhap news agency said.
“Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Un’s soldiers to him if he can organize their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media platform X on Sunday.
He said Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be able to make progress in the Ukraine conflict without help from North Korean leader Kim.
“There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea,” he said.
Zelenskyy’s X post included video of two men Ukraine said were captured North Korean soldiers. Speaking through an interpreter, one said he was told he was on a training exercise and didn’t know where he was.
“I want to live in Ukraine,” the man said when asked his plans while a second nodded when asked if he wanted to return to North Korea.
Radio Free Asia has been unable to verify the authenticity of the video.
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Zelenskyy said there would “undoubtedly be more” captured North Koreans and suggested that they could help Ukraine get out information about the war to help end it.
“For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available. In particular, those who express a desire to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in Korean will be given that opportunity,” he said.
“It’s only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others.”
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said on Monday Russia has been telling North Korean soldiers in Kursk to kill themselves rather than be captured alive by Ukraine, Yonhap reported.
Edited by Mike Firn.
Updated to include comments from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.