World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
South Korea still seeks Ukraine's apology over disclosure of North Korean POWs
South Korea is still seeking an apology from Ukraine over the disclosure of two North Korean prisoners of war.
The soldiers were captured in January 2025 while fighting for Russia and arrived in South Korea in mid-September.
The dispute centers on whether Kyiv agreed to keep the transfer confidential to protect the soldiers and their families, who remain in North Korea.
Seoul says Ukraine broke that agreement, while Kyiv denies that such an agreement existed.
Seoul recalled its ambassador to Ukraine in protest, and says its demand for an apology remains in place.
Ukraine says the dispute has been resolved, citing different interpretations of confidentiality rules and saying it met its obligations.
The two governments are continuing talks in an effort to settle the matter amicably.
South Korea is continuing to seek an apology from Ukraine over its disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
The South Korean foreign ministry said the two countries remain in contact and are seeking an amicable resolution.
Ukraine’s foreign minister said the matter had been resolved and that Ukraine had fulfilled its obligations.
Seoul says a nondisclosure agreement was made at Kyiv’s request, while Kyiv denies that such an agreement existed.
South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine in protest.
- Who
- South Korea and Ukraine are involved in the diplomatic dispute.
- What
- South Korea continues to demand an apology over Ukraine’s disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
- When
- The dispute began after a disclosure last month; South Korea restated its position on Oct. 13.
- Where
- The prisoners were transferred to South Korea. The disclosure was made in an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
- Why
- Seoul says Ukraine breached a nondisclosure agreement; Kyiv says no such agreement existed.
South Korea
Ukraine
Nondisclosure agreement
South Korea
Seoul says Kyiv agreed to keep the transfer confidential at Ukraine’s request.
Ukraine
Kyiv denies that any such agreement existed.
Responsibility
South Korea
Seoul says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy breached the agreement and is seeking an official explanation and apology.
Ukraine
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine fulfilled all its obligations.
Status of dispute
South Korea
South Korea says the countries are still discussing the matter and that its demand for an apology remains.
Ukraine
Sybiha said the matter had been resolved.
The two North Korean soldiers were captured while fighting for Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer of the two soldiers in an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
The soldiers arrived in South Korea.
South Korea said it was maintaining its demand for an apology while continuing consultations with Ukraine.
- Prisoners transferred
- Two North Korean soldiers
- Capture
- January 2025, while fighting for Russia
- Arrival in South Korea
- Mid-September
- Disclosure
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York
- South Korean response
- Recalled its ambassador to Ukraine
- Stand on apology
- South Korea says its demand remains in place
What people are saying
The government hopes that all pending issues between the two countries will be resolved amicably
We hope the Ukrainian side will respond positively to these diplomatic efforts.
Everything stemmed from different interpretations of the confidentiality requirements at various stages of the transfer of the prisoners of war. Ukraine fulfilled all its obligations.
Yes
Sources
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