Ukraine Proposes North Korean Soldier Exchange

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Ukraine's readiness to negotiate the exchange of captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. This follows the capture of two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region, marking the first instance of Ukraine capturing North Korean troops since their involvement in the conflict began. Zelenskiy indicated that more North Korean soldiers are likely to be captured in the future and called on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to facilitate the exchange. He also mentioned alternative options for those North Korean soldiers who may not want to return, including opportunities to contribute to peace efforts by sharing their experiences. The presence of approximately 11,000 North Korean troops in support of Russian forces has been reported, although Russia has not confirmed this deployment. Zelenskiy's statement underscores the evolving dynamics of the conflict as Ukraine continues its military operations.