South Korea and Ukraine Clash Over North Korean Prisoner Transfer
A diplomatic dispute between Kyiv and Seoul threatens bilateral relations after Ukraine publicly announced the relocation of two North Korean prisoners of war.
South Korea and Ukraine have engaged in a diplomatic dispute after Kyiv revealed that it transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul. South Korean officials stated that Ukraine violated a confidentiality agreement designed to protect the soldiers and their families from retaliation by Pyongyang. Ukrainian officials denied that any such confidentiality agreement existed.
The disagreement intensified on Friday when South Korean President Lee Jae-myung demanded an apology from Kyiv. Lee stated on social media that Seoul would take additional measures if Ukraine continues to deny the agreement and refuses to apologize. Lee also criticized Ukrainian statements regarding potential military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Ukrainian forces captured the two soldiers in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025. The troops were among thousands of North Korean soldiers deployed to support Russian forces. Both men later requested asylum in South Korea rather than repatriation to North Korea. South Korea considers North Koreans to be its citizens under its constitution and agreed to accept them.
The transfer occurred in mid-September through a third country. Days later, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer from the podium at the U.N. General Assembly. South Korea promptly summoned the senior Ukrainian diplomat in Seoul to register an official protest and demand an explanation.
South Korean officials said Ukraine had originally requested secrecy to avoid domestic criticism for relinquishing prisoners who could have been exchanged for captured Ukrainian personnel. Officials in Seoul said they agreed to keep the operation quiet to shield the soldiers and their families from North Korean authorities.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha sought to de-escalate tensions on Thursday, characterizing the matter to reporters as a diplomatic misunderstanding rather than an incident. South Korean officials have not publicly detailed what specific actions they may take if Kyiv declines to issue an apology.
