South Korea to assess legal status of North Korean POWs transferred from Ukraine

South Korea to assess legal status of North Korean POWs transferred from Ukraine

Politics Security

South Korean authorities said on 30 September they would assess the legal status and protection of two North Korean prisoners of war transferred from Ukraine. According to The Independent, officials will examine the soldiers' backgrounds to determine eligibility for protection under the North Korean Defectors Protection and Settlement Support Act and consider possible resettlement.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on 23 September that Ukraine had handed the two prisoners, captured in Russia's Kursk region, to Seoul. Seoul subsequently demanded an explanation and an official apology from Kyiv, saying the disclosure breached a confidentiality pact, according to statements from South Korean officials.

Actors

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Republic of Korea North Korean prisoners of war United Nations General Assembly

Locations

Kursk region, Russia United Nations General Assembly, New York, United States South Korea

Fact Check

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Verdict: Insufficient evidence Confidence: 22% Claims: 1
At a glance

There was one claim analyzed regarding President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating at the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2026, that Ukraine handed two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, which had insufficient evidence to confirm or refute. No claims were confirmed, partially confirmed, or refuted.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

September 30, 2026
1 total
South Korea to assess legal status and protection of two North Korean POWs transferred from Ukraine
South Korea to assess legal status and protection of two North Korean POWs transferred from Ukraine

The Independent • 30 Sep 04:13

Two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia have been moved to South Korea, where authorities will investigate their backgrounds, determine eligibility for protection under the North Korean Defectors Protection and Settlement Support Act, and consider resettlement.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center
September 28, 2026
1 total
South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over disclosed transfer of North Korean POWs
South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over disclosed transfer of North Korean POWs

Euronews.com • 28 Sep 03:49

Seoul says Ukraine broke a confidentiality pact by revealing that two North Korean prisoners of war were handed over to South Korea, and it is seeking an official apology.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September 27, 2026
2 total
South Korea seeks apology from Ukraine over disclosed North Korean POW transfer
South Korea seeks apology from Ukraine over disclosed North Korean POW transfer

CNN • 27 Sep 22:52

Seoul demanded an explanation and apology after Kyiv revealed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, contrary to a confidentiality agreement.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over disclosed North Korean POW transfer
South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over disclosed North Korean POW transfer

Al Jazeera • 27 Sep 18:35

Seoul says Kyiv broke a confidentiality pact by revealing the handover of two North Korean prisoners, straining bilateral ties.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
September 24, 2026
2 total
Zelenskyy says Ukraine transferred two North Korean POWs to South Korea
Zelenskyy says Ukraine transferred two North Korean POWs to South Korea

Al Jazeera • 24 Sep 08:33

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly that Ukraine has handed two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, criticizing North Korea's role in the war.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
Ukraine transfers two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, Zelensky says
Ukraine transfers two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, Zelensky says

Yahoo News UK • 24 Sep 00:36

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has handed over two North Korean prisoners of war, captured in Russia's Kursk region, to South Korea.

Credibility 78% Manip. 34% Center
September 23, 2026
1 total
Ukraine transfers two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, Zelenskiy says
Ukraine transfers two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, Zelenskiy says

Reuters • 23 Sep 23:30

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that Ukraine has handed two North Korean prisoners of war, captured in Russia's Kursk region, to the Republic of Korea.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center

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