Archive · 28 Sep 2026
South Korea Demands Ukraine Apology Over POW Transfer Disclosure
Two North Korean soldiers were captured while fighting for Russia against Ukraine.
They were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025.
The soldiers wanted to go to South Korea, so the two governments arranged their transfer there.
South Korea says Ukraine asked for the plan to remain secret.
Seoul says the secrecy was meant to protect the soldiers and their families.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later announced the transfer at the United Nations.
South Korea says this broke an agreement and hurt trust between the countries.
Ukraine says there was no binding secrecy agreement and that people should know what happened to captured soldiers.
South Korea has summoned Ukraine’s acting ambassador and is considering additional measures.
South Korea demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine over the public disclosure of two North Korean soldiers’ transfer to Seoul.
Seoul said both governments agreed to keep the transfer confidential for security, diplomatic and humanitarian reasons.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer during an address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Ukraine denied that a binding non-disclosure agreement existed, while South Korea called the denial false and damaging to bilateral trust.
The soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 after fighting for Russia and later expressed a desire to move to South Korea.
- Who
- South Korea, Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Lee Jae-myung and two captured North Korean soldiers.
- What
- South Korea protested Ukraine’s disclosure of the soldiers’ transfer and demanded an official explanation and apology.
- When
- The soldiers were captured in January 2025; the disclosure occurred the following week, and South Korea’s demands were issued on September 27-28.
- Where
- The soldiers were captured in Russia’s Kursk region, transferred to South Korea and publicly discussed during a United Nations General Assembly address.
- Why
- South Korea says Ukraine violated an agreement to keep the transfer confidential and then falsely denied that the agreement existed.
South Korea’s account
Ukraine’s reported position
Confidentiality agreement
South Korea’s account
South Korea says Ukraine repeatedly discussed the transfer, requested secrecy and agreed with Seoul to keep it confidential.
Ukraine’s reported position
Ukrainian officials deny that the two governments entered into a binding non-disclosure agreement.
Reason for secrecy
South Korea’s account
Seoul says confidentiality was necessary for security, diplomatic and humanitarian reasons, including protecting the soldiers and their families.
Ukraine’s reported position
Kyiv has maintained that the public has a right to know about the fate of captured combatants.
Impact on relations
South Korea’s account
South Korea says the disclosure and Ukraine’s subsequent denial seriously undermined trust and could harm friendly relations.
Ukraine’s reported position
Ukraine’s position rejects the claim that a formal confidentiality agreement was violated.
- Prisoners
- Two North Korean soldiers captured alive while fighting for Russia.
- Capture location
- Russia’s Kursk region.
- Capture date
- January 2025.
- Transfer
- The soldiers were transferred to South Korea after expressing a desire to go there.
- Public disclosure
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer during an address to the United Nations General Assembly.
- South Korean response
- Seoul demanded an explanation and apology and summoned Ukraine’s acting ambassador.
- Possible further action
- South Korea said it was reviewing additional measures if necessary.
Sources
South Korea summons Ukraine envoy in protest over North Korean POW transfer
South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over North Korean prisoners' transfer
South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over disclosure of North Korean PoW transfer
