Transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea

Ukraine transferred two North Korean soldiers captured in Russia's Kursk region to South Korea. The soldiers had reportedly expressed an intention to defect, while human-rights organisations warned that returning them to North Korea would expose them to punishment. Seoul criticised the public disclosure because of the security and diplomatic risks. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung effectively confirmed the transfer by criticising Ukraine for making it public, although South Korean ministries withheld operational details.