South Korea-Ukraine ties over North Korean POW transfer: Why Seoul wants to apologize | Today’s news
Relations between Ukraine and South Korea are showing signs of strain after Seoul on Sunday accused Kiev of violating a confidentiality agreement over the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea and later disputed that such an agreement existed, Reuters reported.
South Korea has demanded an official apology from Ukraine, saying that Kiev’s handling of the matter has eroded trust between the two governments, according to the report.
Seoul accuses Ukraine of breaching confidentiality
Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations, said South Korea’s presidential office expressed “deep regret” over what it called Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure of the transfer and its subsequent denial that a non-disclosure agreement had been reached.
Seong said the South Korean government is reviewing whether further measures are necessary.
According to a Reuters report, Ukraine discussed the handover of the two prisoners with Seoul through several channels and asked that the matter remain confidential.
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Kiev reportedly argued that public disclosure of the transfer could provoke domestic criticism that Ukraine had given up the option of exchanging North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners.
South Korea agreed to keep the transfer confidential, citing security, diplomatic and humanitarian concerns, including the safety of the prisoners and their families, the report said.
The dispute escalated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the transfer during a speech at the UN General Assembly last week.
Zelenskyy said the two North Korean soldiers were captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in the war against Ukraine and were later sent to South Korea.
Seong said Ukraine disclosed the transfer without sufficient prior consultation with Seoul and subsequently denied that a confidentiality agreement existed. He said the episode had “severely eroded trust” between the two governments and could affect bilateral relations.
Why Seoul kept the prisoner transfer secret
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung earlier said Ukraine’s disclosure violated an agreement between the two countries.
In a post on X, Lee said keeping the transfer confidential was appropriate given the potential consequences for the inmate and others involved.
“I don’t know what circumstances led the Ukrainian side to make the matter public despite the non-disclosure agreement, but it is deeply regrettable,” Lee said.
Seoul previously refused to publicly confirm the arrival of the two soldiers, citing concerns for their safety and the safety of family members who remain in North Korea, Reuters reports.
How North Korean soldiers got into South Korea
Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025.
They were the first North Korean soldiers captured alive after Pyongyang joined Russia’s 2024 war against Ukraine.
According to a South Korean opposition lawmaker quoted by Reuters, the two soldiers reportedly expressed a desire to travel to South Korea, sparking discussions between Seoul and Kyiv about a possible transfer.
The transfer comes at a sensitive time for South Korea’s foreign policy. Seoul has backed efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea, while US President Donald Trump has renewed his willingness to negotiate with Pyongyang.
(With inputs from Reuters)
