Archive · 8 Oct 2026
South Korea Recalls Ukraine Envoy Amid POW Disclosure Dispute
South Korea is recalling its ambassador from Ukraine because the two governments disagree about information shared publicly.
The disagreement is about two North Korean soldiers who were captured while fighting for Russia.
The soldiers were later transferred to South Korea.
South Korea says Ukraine had asked to keep the transfer secret to protect the soldiers and their families.
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced the transfer publicly.
His office later said there had been no agreement to keep it secret.
South Korea has asked Ukraine to explain and apologize.
It says it still wants to solve the problem through talks and keep good relations with Ukraine.
South Korea said it will recall its ambassador to Ukraine amid a dispute over two North Korean prisoners of war.
The two soldiers were captured in January 2025 while fighting for Russia in the Kursk region and arrived in South Korea in mid-September.
South Korea says Kyiv had initially asked to keep their transfer confidential to protect the soldiers and their families.
President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the transfer in an address to the United Nations General Assembly last month; his office later denied an agreement to keep it confidential.
Seoul has requested an official explanation and apology, while saying it wants to resolve the dispute through diplomatic channels and maintain relations with Ukraine.
- Who
- The governments of South Korea and Ukraine; South Korean Ambassador Park Ki-chang is being recalled.
- What
- South Korea will recall its ambassador amid a dispute over Ukraine's disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
- When
- The recall was announced on Thursday; the two soldiers were captured in January 2025 and arrived in South Korea in mid-September.
- Where
- The diplomatic dispute is between South Korea and Ukraine; the soldiers were captured in the Kursk region.
- Why
- South Korea says Ukraine disclosed the transfer despite an understanding that it would remain confidential; Ukraine's president's office denied that such an agreement existed.
South Korea's account
Ukraine's stated position
Whether the transfer was to remain confidential
South Korea's account
South Korea says Ukraine had initially requested confidentiality to protect the soldiers and their families, and that there was an agreement to keep the transfer private.
Ukraine's stated position
Zelensky's office denied that there had been an agreement to keep the matter confidential.
Response to the disclosure
South Korea's account
Seoul has demanded an official explanation and apology and says the apology message it received fell short of its expectations.
Ukraine's stated position
The article reports that Ukraine had not issued an official message addressing South Korea's request at the time of publication.
- South Korean ambassador
- Park Ki-chang
- Prisoners involved
- Two North Korean soldiers
- Capture
- January 2025, while fighting for Russia in the Kursk region
- Arrival in South Korea
- Mid-September
- Public disclosure
- Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the transfer in an address to the UN General Assembly in New York last month.
- South Korea's request
- Seoul has sought an official explanation and apology from Ukraine.
- Diplomatic approach
- South Korea says it will continue consultations and seeks to preserve its relations with Ukraine.