Two Prisoners of War (포로 2명)

The case and the international legal issues surrounding two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces on the Kursk front in January 2025.

Two Prisoners of War (포로 2명)

Overview

"Two Prisoners of War" (포로 2명) refers to two soldiers of the Korean People's Army (조선인민군) whom the Ukrainian military announced it had captured in January 2025 during fighting in Russia's Kursk region. It was the first case in which North Korean troops dispatched to Russia were publicly confirmed as prisoners of war, and it sparked international debate over the true nature of the deployment and over the legal status and repatriation of prisoners of war under international law. The case simultaneously exposed three issues: the internationalization of the Ukraine war, the reality of North Korea–Russia military cooperation, and whether the South Korean government would intervene.

Main Details

Circumstances of the Capture and the Announcement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially announced on January 11, 2025 (local time) that two wounded North Korean soldiers had been captured in the Kursk region. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) stated that they had been seized during engagements in the vicinity of Kursk Oblast in Russia, and that identification cards, military equipment, and disguised identity documents written in Russian had been secured. Ukraine disclosed interrogation footage and photographs, classifying the two as belonging to the Korean People's Army rather than the Russian military.

Statements and Identity Information

According to reports, the two were born in 2005 and 1999 respectively, and stated that after being deployed to the Kursk region of Russia they carried out infantry duties. It was reported that within North Korea the dispatch to Russia had been described as being of a "training" nature, and that they made statements to the effect that they had not known in advance that they would actually be committed to combat. Media also reported that communication with Russian troops was limited and that the command structure was separate. However, there have also been points raised that the veracity of the statements and the legality of the interrogation process have not been fully verified.

Status under International Law

The two are assessed as holding prisoner-of-war (POW) status under the Third Geneva Convention. The Third Convention provides for the humane treatment of prisoners, the prohibition of forced labor, the prohibition of torture during interrogation, and permission for communication with their home country, while the Fourth Convention concerns the protection of civilians. In particular, under the principle of non-refoulement, it is argued that they must not be repatriated to North Korea against their will if persecution or punishment is expected upon return. On the other hand, prisoner exchanges are a matter for agreement between the belligerent parties, so how Ukraine handles their treatment in exchange negotiations with Russia remains a key variable.

Reactions from Each Country

Ukraine stated its position that it would use the two as key evidence for investigating war crimes and the reality of the deployment. Russia maintained its stance of not officially acknowledging the deployment, and North Korea likewise issued no official confirmation or statement of position. The South Korean government has repeatedly stated its position that, on the premise that they may qualify as nationals under the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, it is possible to accept them domestically after confirming their own intentions. However, it was pointed out that coordination is needed on practical conditions such as Ukrainian local law, procedures for transit through a third country, and the method of handing over the prisoners.

Latest Developments

From late 2024 through 2025, the scale of the North Korean troop deployment was estimated at from several thousand to more than 10,000, and significant casualties were reported on the Kursk front. After the first half of 2025, Ukrainian forces mentioned additional cases of prisoners being taken, and international human rights organizations and UN bodies began to address the treatment and repatriation of North Korean POWs as a human rights agenda item. In South Korea, issues emerged including the legal basis for "accepting prisoners," procedures for confirming intentions amid blocked inter-Korean communication, transfer to a third country, and the issue of separated families. In addition, as the scope of military cooperation expanded following the conclusion of the North Korea–Russia treaty, the possibility was raised that the POW issue could be used as a card in diplomatic negotiations in the future. However, owing to the war situation and restrictions on access to information, the details of the matter remain fluid, and there are many parts requiring follow-up confirmation.