South Korea has called for an official explanation and apology from Ukraine following Kyiv’s public disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. The South Korean government had intended to keep the transfer confidential due to concerns over national security, the impact on inter-Korean relations, and the safety of the soldiers and their families.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung criticized Ukraine’s disclosure, emphasizing that both nations had agreed not to make details of the repatriation public. Seoul also expressed disappointment over Ukraine’s denial of a confidentiality agreement, stating that this has led to a breakdown in trust between the two countries.
Ukraine, however, disputed South Korea’s claims, with a presidential official stating that Seoul was informed in advance that President Volodymyr Zelensky might mention the soldiers during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. Kyiv clarified that it only disclosed the fact that the two soldiers had been transferred to South Korea, without providing further details on the timing or circumstances of the operation.
South Korean officials acknowledged they were notified that President Zelensky might refer to the prisoners, but insisted they had requested the soldiers’ destination remain undisclosed. The disagreement centers on what information was agreed to be kept confidential, with South Korea asserting that the transfer itself was part of the agreement, while Ukraine maintains it did not agree to conceal this fact.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025, having been deployed alongside North Korean troops supporting Russia. Upon capture, they expressed a preference to travel to South Korea rather than return to North Korea.