1 hr ago
South Korea Demands Ukraine Apology Over North Korean Prisoner Disclosure
South Korea says Ukraine revealed secret information about two North Korean soldiers.
The soldiers were captured while fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine.
They later went to South Korea because they wanted to live there.
South Korea says Ukraine had agreed not to announce the transfer publicly.
Ukraine’s president later mentioned the transfer in a United Nations speech.
South Korea says Ukraine then denied that a secrecy agreement existed.
Seoul wants an explanation and an apology.
South Korea is considering whether to take additional steps.
South Korea demanded an explanation and apology from Ukraine over disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war.
Seoul said Ukraine had requested confidentiality because disclosure could endanger the prisoners, their families, and diplomatic efforts.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later announced the transfer in an address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Ukraine reportedly denied that a non-disclosure agreement existed, which Seoul said damaged trust and bilateral relations.
The two soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 after fighting for Russia against Ukraine.
- Who
- South Korea, Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and two captured North Korean soldiers.
- What
- South Korea demanded an explanation and apology from Ukraine for publicly disclosing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war.
- Where
- The soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region and transferred to South Korea; the disclosure was made during a United Nations General Assembly address.
- When
- The demand was reported on September 27; the soldiers were captured in January 2025, and the disclosure occurred the previous week.
- Why
- South Korea says Ukraine breached a confidentiality agreement intended to protect the soldiers and their families and address security, diplomatic, and humanitarian concerns.
South Korea’s account
Ukraine’s reported position
Confidentiality agreement
South Korea’s account
South Korea says Ukraine repeatedly requested secrecy and that both sides agreed to keep the transfer confidential.
Ukraine’s reported position
Ukraine reportedly denied that a non-disclosure agreement existed; its embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Public announcement
South Korea’s account
Seoul says Ukraine disclosed the transfer without sufficient prior consultation, despite security, diplomatic, and humanitarian concerns.
Ukraine’s reported position
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy publicly announced that the two soldiers had been transferred to South Korea during his United Nations address; Ukraine’s reasons for the disclosure were not provided in the report.
Key facts
- Disputed issue
- Whether South Korea and Ukraine had agreed to keep the prisoners’ transfer confidential.
- South Korea’s demand
- An official explanation and apology from Ukraine.
- Prisoners
- Two North Korean soldiers captured alive while fighting for Russia.
- Capture date and location
- January 2025 in Russia’s Kursk region.
- Public disclosure
- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the transfer in a United Nations General Assembly address.
- South Korean response
- Seoul said the disclosure and Ukraine’s subsequent denial seriously damaged trust and could harm bilateral relations.
- Possible next steps
- South Korea’s presidential office said it was reviewing additional measures if necessary.
Quotes
Seong Ghi-hong
Senior South Korean presidential secretary for public relations
“The presidential office expresses strong regret over Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure and its subsequent false announcement that there had not been a non-disclosure agreement”
theprint.in
“I do not know what circumstances led the Ukrainian side to disclose the matter despite the confidentiality agreement, but it is deeply regrettable”
theprint.in
Sources
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