South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over North Korean POW transfer disclosure FAST-MOVING

North Korean POWs diplomatic dispute confidentiality agreement prisoner transfer South Korea-Ukraine relations

Diplomatic relations between South Korea and Ukraine have deteriorated following the public disclosure of a transfer involving two North Korean prisoners of war. The dispute began after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine had transferred two North Korean soldiers, captured in the Russian Kursk region, to South Korea.

The South Korean presidential office expressed “strong regret” over the disclosure, asserting that both nations had entered into a non-disclosure agreement to ensure the safety of the soldiers and their families. South Korean officials, including senior presidential secretary Seong Ghi-hong, claimed that Ukraine unilaterally broke this agreement and subsequently issued a “false” denial regarding its existence.

Ukraine has countered these claims. Presidential aide Dmytro Lytvyn stated that Ukraine is an “open country” and suggested that keeping such a transfer secret would have been unusual. The Ukrainian presidential office has denied that any confidentiality agreement was ever established with Seoul.

South Korea has demanded an official explanation and apology from Kyiv, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoning the Ukrainian chargé d'affaires. The South Korean government is currently considering additional measures in response to what it describes as a serious breach of trust that undermines bilateral friendship.

Entities

Dmytro Lytvyn · Lee Jae Myung · Lee Jae-myung · North Korea · Seong Ghi-hong · South Korea · Ukraine · Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 23 SOURCES] The North Korean soldiers were captured in January 2025. www.glasistre.hr · www.europesays.com · bahamasspectator.com · haitigazette.com · www.imaeil.com · +15 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Ukrainian presidential aide Dmytro Lytvyn stated that Ukraine is an open country and that keeping the transfer secret would have been unusual. bahamasspectator.com · haitigazette.com · www.hidomin.com · stvincenttribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · +3 more
[DISPUTED] The South Korean government asserts there was a prior agreement with Ukraine to keep the transfer of the North Korean prisoners confidential to ensure the safety of the soldiers and their families. www.imaeil.com · www.incheonilbo.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · bahamasspectator.com · +28 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Opposition politicians in South Korea accused the government of concealing the transfer to avoid provoking North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. www.imaeil.com · www.hani.co.kr · www.notiulti.com
[● 27 SOURCES] The transferred individuals were two North Korean soldiers captured in the Kursk region of Russia. www.glasistre.hr · www.europesays.com · bahamasspectator.com · haitigazette.com · www.imaeil.com · +19 more
[DISPUTED] The Ukrainian presidential office denied the existence of any non-disclosure agreement regarding the prisoner transfer. www.incheonilbo.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.hani.co.kr · www.mbn.co.kr · bahamasspectator.com · +28 more
[● 34 SOURCES] South Korea has demanded an official explanation and apology from Ukraine for the unilateral disclosure. www.incheonilbo.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · bahamasspectator.com · haitigazette.com · +27 more
[● 35 SOURCES] President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at the UN General Assembly that Ukraine transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. www.imaeil.com · www.incheonilbo.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.glasistre.hr · www.hani.co.kr · +29 more
[● 22 SOURCES] The South Korean presidential office expressed “strong regret” over Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure of the transfer and its subsequent denial of a non-disclosure agreement. bahamasspectator.com · www.hidomin.com · htv.vn · www.incheonilbo.com · www.jnilbo.com · +16 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ukrainian chargé d'affaires to demand an official explanation and apology regarding the disclosure. www.kyeonggi.com
[● 7 SOURCES] The South Korean government is considering additional measures in response to the breach of trust. bahamasspectator.com · www.correiodamanhacanada.com · www.hidomin.com · htv.vn · www.namdonews.com · +2 more