Politics · South Korea · 1 day ago
South Korean lawmakers clash over North Korean prisoners and mine response
South Korean lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party and the opposition People Power Party clashed over North Korean soldiers held as prisoners in Ukraine.
People Power lawmaker Na Kyung-won sent a letter thanking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the prisoners’ return to South Korea.
Democratic Party lawmakers criticized her, saying Ukraine had broken a confidentiality promise and that the prisoners’ safety should come first.
Na accused the government of putting North Korea’s interests ahead of the prisoners and called its decision to recall South Korea’s ambassador from Ukraine a diplomatic mistake.
Separately, People Power lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo called for measures such as broadcasts and leaflet drops toward North Korea after a suspected North Korean landmine was found on an island in Incheon’s Ganghwa County.
The Democratic Party said those measures would be irresponsible and put residents near the border at risk.
The competing statements show a dispute over how South Korea should protect the prisoners and respond to North Korea.
South Korean lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party and opposition lawmaker Na Kyung-won clashed over Ukraine’s handling and possible repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war.
Na criticized the government’s response and sent a letter of thanks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Democratic Party lawmakers accused Na of disregarding concerns about the prisoners’ safety and condemned her letter.
Na said the government was discouraging future defections by North Korean soldiers and called it pro-North Korea.
- Who
- Democratic Party lawmakers and Na Kyung-won, a People Power Party lawmaker.
- What
- They clashed over Ukraine’s North Korean prisoners of war, Na’s letter to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the South Korean government’s response.
- When
- October 10, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea; the dispute was expressed in statements and social media posts.
- Why
- They disagreed over the government’s approach to the prisoners’ repatriation, their safety and the implications for future defections.
Democratic Party lawmakers
Na Kyung-won
Prisoners’ safety
Democratic Party lawmakers
The party said international standards and protecting the prisoners and their families required attention to their safety.
Na Kyung-won
Na said the government’s actions neglected the prisoners’ lives and could prevent future North Korean soldiers from defecting.
Na’s letter to Zelenskyy
Democratic Party lawmakers
Democratic Party lawmakers condemned the letter and accused Na of supporting Ukraine despite its alleged breach of a confidential commitment.
Na Kyung-won
Na defended sending a thank-you letter to Zelenskyy.
Government response
Democratic Party lawmakers
The party said Na was unfairly accusing the government of abandoning the prisoners and called her claims irresponsible.
Na Kyung-won
Na called the government’s handling of the matter a self-inflicted diplomatic injury and said it served North Korea’s interests.
Stop the irresponsible incitement that brands as pro-North even a request to protect the safety of the prisoners and their families in accordance with international standards.
A letter of thanks to Zelenskyy, who showed ingratitude and insulted the Republic of Korea — what country’s lawmaker are you?
Are you South Korean lawmakers? Are you lawmakers of the North Korean Workers’ Party?
The Lee Jae-myung administration, which turns its back on the lives of its compatriots to protect Kim Jong Un’s feelings, is truly a “pro-North regime.
Democratic Party lawmakers and Na Kyung-won publicly exchanged criticism over the prisoners and Na’s letter to Zelenskyy.
Na criticized the government after South Korea’s ambassador to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang, returned to South Korea in connection with the government’s repatriation measures.
- Date of dispute
- October 10, 2026
- Ukrainian president addressed by Na
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- South Korean ambassador to Ukraine
- Park Ki-chang
- Na’s party
- People Power Party
Sources
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