The POWs were captured by Ukrainian forces early last year after being deployed alongside thousands of North Korean troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine.
North Korean soldiers were among the foreign contingent conscripted to fight alongside Russian troops on various frontlines in the war on Ukraine, after the Kremlin sought assistance from its close allies to bolster its deployments amid struggles with domestic conscription.
Kyiv has been pushing for a license to produce Patriot interceptors domestically, arguing that they are crucial to its ability to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks.