South Korea and Ukraine agree captured North Korean soldiers may go to South Korea under international law

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed July 8 that North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukraine will be handled in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles while respecting their wishes.

The two leaders reached the accord during a bilateral summit on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Yonhap reported. Two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in early 2025 after deployment to Russia's Kursk region.

The soldiers have reportedly expressed a desire to come to South Korea. The principle of non-refoulement under international law prohibits returning or expelling a person to a country where they would face persecution or serious human rights abuses, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said. Lee attended the 2026 NATO summit as the leader of a partner country.

Zelenskyy joined the event to call for Ukraine's membership in NATO. South Korea pledged to provide US$100 million in assistance to Ukraine on the occasion of Lee's attendance, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the previous day. During the summit, Lee explained the assistance plan to Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude and voiced hope to end the war at an early date and restore peace in Ukraine through close cooperation with the international community, including South Korea. Zelenskyy also voiced expectations for continued attention by the South Korean government and companies to Ukraine's postwar reconstruction, Kang said.