Archive · 2 Oct 2026
South Korea Warns Ukraine of Further Measures Over POW Disclosure
Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers who were fighting for Russia and later transferred them to South Korea.
Ukraine publicly announced the transfer.
South Korea says the information was supposed to remain secret.
It worries that the soldiers’ families in North Korea could be punished.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung demanded an apology from Ukraine.
He warned that South Korea could take additional steps if Ukraine refuses.
Ukraine says the disagreement is a diplomatic misunderstanding.
The two countries also disagree about whether a confidentiality agreement existed.
President Lee Jae Myung warned Ukraine of further measures unless it apologises for disclosing the transfer of two North Korean POWs.
South Korea said the disclosure violated a confidentiality agreement and could endanger the prisoners’ families in North Korea.
Ukraine has not officially acknowledged that such an agreement existed.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called the dispute a diplomatic misunderstanding and said Kyiv wants it resolved quickly.
South Korea’s spy agency suggested the disclosure may have been intended to build support for Seoul supplying weapons to Ukraine.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Ukraine, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga are central to the dispute.
- What
- South Korea warned of further measures unless Ukraine apologises for publicly disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war.
- When
- The warning followed Ukraine’s announcement at the United Nations General Assembly the previous week.
- Where
- The dispute involves South Korea, Ukraine, and the families of the prisoners in North Korea.
- Why
- South Korea says the disclosure violated confidentiality and could expose the prisoners’ families to retaliation.
South Korea’s Position
Ukraine’s Position
Whether confidentiality was violated
South Korea’s Position
South Korea says Ukraine breached a confidentiality agreement by publicly revealing the transfer.
Ukraine’s Position
Ukraine has not officially acknowledged that such an agreement existed.
Nature of the dispute
South Korea’s Position
Lee Jae Myung says the disclosure is a matter of South Korea’s national dignity and cannot be overlooked.
Ukraine’s Position
Andriy Sybiga characterises the matter as a diplomatic misunderstanding rather than an incident.
Reason for the disclosure
South Korea’s Position
South Korea’s spy agency suggested the announcement may have been intended to encourage South Korean support for providing weapons to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Position
Ukraine’s stated position in the article is that it wants the matter resolved quickly and regards South Korea as an important country.
- South Korean warning
- Lee Jae Myung said South Korea would take further measures if Ukraine did not acknowledge the facts and publicly apologise.
- Prisoners involved
- Two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia were transferred to South Korea.
- South Korea’s concern
- Seoul said publicising the transfer could put the soldiers’ families in North Korea at severe risk.
- Ukraine’s position
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described the matter as a diplomatic misunderstanding.
- Confidentiality dispute
- South Korea said it had a confidentiality agreement with Ukraine; Ukraine has not officially acknowledged that such an agreement existed.
- Possible motive
- A South Korean lawmaker said the country’s spy agency suggested the disclosure may have been intended to build support for Seoul supplying weapons to Ukraine.