Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, where he publicly announced the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured during the ongoing war against Russia. This revelation sparked backlash from South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who described the matter as a “sensitive issue” in a post on social media platform X. Yoon expressed his disappointment, stating he was unaware of the circumstances that led Ukraine to breach the agreement and disclose this information, labeling it as “very sad.”
During a press briefing, a South Korean journalist inquired about the specific reasons behind Zelensky’s announcement, especially given the South Korean government’s emphasis on the confidentiality of such matters. In response, a representative from the Office of the President stated, “We are an open country, and it would be strange to secretly hand over these individuals who were captured by our soldiers. Thus, from the entire long and detailed story, we only communicated the fact that they were sent to the Republic of Korea.”
Context
- North Korean soldiers have been fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war against Ukraine since October 2024.
- In early August 2026, Zelensky warned of plans to send an additional 50,000 North Korean troops to participate in the conflict, a claim that Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, dismissed as “groundless.”
