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South Korea and Ukraine clash over North Korean POW transfer secrecy
South Korea and Ukraine are engaged in a diplomatic dispute following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s announcement at the United Nations General Assembly regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. The two soldiers were reportedly captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed deep regret, accusing Ukraine of violating a confidentiality agreement intended to keep the sensitive transfer private. Lee characterized the unilateral disclosure as irresponsible and potentially damaging to national security and regional stability on the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean presidential office stated it is considering additional measures regarding the matter.
Ukraine has denied the existence of any such non-disclosure agreement. Serguéi Litvin, an adviser to President Zelenskyy, stated that it would be “incorrect to ocultar adónde van a parar unos u otros prisioneros” and maintained that no pact to remain silent was ever established. The dispute highlights the complexities of managing high-stakes prisoner transfers involving North Korean personnel participating in the conflict in Ukraine.
Entities
Lee Jae Myung · Lee Jae-myung · North Korea · South Korea · Ukraine · Volodymyr Zelensky · Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Ukraine transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. www.sofx.com · giaoducthoidai.vn · sputniknews.cn · news.cube-soft.jp · soha.vn · +5 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] South Korea and Ukraine had a confidentiality agreement regarding the prisoner transfer. www.sofx.com · sputniknews.cn · news.cube-soft.jp · www.koreaherald.com · giaoducthoidai.vn · +4 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The two North Korean soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk region in January 2025. www.sofx.com · giaoducthoidai.vn · porelojodelacerradura.com.do · srnnews.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · +2 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ukraine denies that a confidentiality agreement existed regarding the transfer. www.koreaherald.com · porelojodelacerradura.com.do · www.koreatimes.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The transferred soldiers are the only North Korean troops known to have been taken alive since Pyongyang joined Russia's war in 2024. www.sofx.com · srnnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed deep regret over the public disclosure of the North Korean prisoner transfer. giaoducthoidai.vn · srnnews.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the transfer of the North Korean prisoners during his address to the UN General Assembly. porelojodelacerradura.com.do · srnnews.com · www.koreatimes.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The South Korean government is considering additional measures in response to the incident. srnnews.com