World · East Asia & Pacific · 25 mins ago
South Korea and Ukraine seek to repair ties after Paris talks
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Paris during a Group of Seven meeting.
It was their first in-person meeting since diplomatic tensions flared in September.
The dispute began when Ukraine disclosed it had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, which Seoul said violated a confidentiality agreement.
South Korea demanded an apology and steps to prevent a repeat, and last month recalled its ambassador and withdrew about half its embassy staff from Ukraine.
Cho said mutual respect, trust and honoring agreements are needed to improve ties, while reaffirming South Korea’s plans to explore humanitarian aid and support for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Sybiha said more steps are needed for full normalization, but welcomed South Korea’s support and invited Cho to visit Ukraine.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met in Paris on Nov. 10 as the two countries sought to repair strained relations.
The diplomatic tensions followed Ukraine’s disclosure in September that it had transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
Seoul said the disclosure breached a bilateral agreement and has sought an apology and steps to prevent a recurrence.
Cho said mutual respect, trust and faithful implementation of agreements were basic prerequisites for developing ties.
Sybiha said further steps were needed for the full normalization of relations and reaffirmed Ukraine’s interest in a partnership with South Korea.
- Who
- South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
- What
- They held talks aimed at improving strained bilateral relations.
- When
- Nov. 10, 2026.
- Where
- Paris, on the sidelines of a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting.
- Why
- To address diplomatic tensions over Ukraine’s disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
South Korea
Ukraine
Disclosure of the prisoners’ transfer
South Korea
Seoul said the disclosure breached a bilateral agreement not to reveal the transfer.
Ukraine
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer; Ukraine’s position on the alleged breach was not stated.
Repairing relations
South Korea
Cho said mutual respect, trust and faithful implementation of bilateral agreements were basic prerequisites for developing ties.
Ukraine
Sybiha called for joint diplomatic efforts and said further steps were needed for full normalization.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
South Korea recalled its ambassador to Ukraine and withdrew about half of its embassy staff.
South Korea was represented by junior diplomats at a Brussels meeting about Russia sanctions.
Cho Hyun and Andrii Sybiha met in Paris on the sidelines of a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting.
- Meeting date
- Nov. 10, 2026
- Meeting place
- Paris
- South Korean foreign minister
- Cho Hyun
- Ukrainian foreign minister
- Andrii Sybiha
- Prisoners transferred
- Two North Korean prisoners of war
- South Korean embassy staffing
- About half of its staff were withdrawn from Ukraine
4 sources
韓·우크라 외교장관, 포로 갈등 이후 첫 대면…관계 회복 주목
(LEAD) FM Cho stresses mutual respect, trust as prerequisite for bilateral ties in talks with Ukrainian minister
South Korea-Ukraine relations begin to thaw after Paris meeting
What people are saying
mutual respect and trust, and the faithful implementation of bilateral agreements as basic prerequisites for the development of relations between the two countries
I am convinced that further steps lie ahead of us towards the full normalization of bilateral relations
We deserve to have exceptionally dynamic and high-level bilateral relations with South Korea.
We are grateful for the support for our territorial integrity and sovereignty